Last week Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) mailed every household on the island a permanent, non-expiring burn permit, eliminating the need to request a permit from fire officials for residential burning, cooking and recreational fires.

This action signals a change in VIFR’s program, and is a cost- and labor-saving measure, administrators say.

Before doing any outdoor burning, however, islanders are expected to check about air-quality or fire-danger burn bans in place with either VIFR, the King County Fire Marshal or Puget Sound Clean Air. The permits islanders received include both phone numbers and website information.

The permits are intended to be kept at people’s homes and properties and are to include the name, address and signature of the responsible party.

Additional permits can be printed off the VIFR website, www.vifr.org, or picked up on the ferry, at the library or at Station 55. People can also call the department at 463-2405 to have one mailed to them if they misplace the one they received.

The permit includes 13 rules related to burning, and people are expected to read them, VIFR officials say. The rules range from the size of fires allowed to materials that may be burned. Additionally, the permits note that anyone who is affected by outdoor burning may file a complaint by contacting VIFR or the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.