{
 "site": "Southwest Michigan Info",
 "base_url": "https://swmiinfo.com",
 "last_checked": "2026-10-27",
 "license": "CC0-1.0",
 "note": "Each fact links to its official source. status=unverified means we could not confirm it; call to confirm.",
 "communities": [
  {
   "id": "statewide",
   "name": "Michigan (state rules)",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "In the southern Lower Peninsula, the DNR does not issue burn permits. Permits come from your local fire department or local government. DNR burn line: 866-922-2876.",
     "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/forestry/fire/burn-permit",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    },
    {
     "text": "If no local ordinance applies, state law allows burning grass and leaves in communities under 7,500 people, but not within 1,400 feet of an incorporated city or village limit.",
     "source": "https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/forestry/fire/burn-permit",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "kalamazoo-city",
   "name": "City of Kalamazoo",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Burning garbage, leaves or other waste is prohibited. Recreational fires need a free permit unless you use an approved, screened outdoor device at a single- or two-family home, 15 feet from structures, with a hose ready. Questions: (269) 337-8123.",
     "source": "https://www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org/Resources/Recreational-Fire-Permits",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    },
    {
     "text": "Recreational fires are not allowed on ozone action days, DNR high fire risk days, or during a state or city burn ban.",
     "source": "https://www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org/Resources/Recreational-Fire-Permits",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "portage",
   "name": "City of Portage",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Burning leaves is not permitted at any time.",
     "source": "https://portagemi.gov/282/Fall-Leaf-Pickup-Program",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "kalamazoo-township",
   "name": "Kalamazoo Township",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Burning leaves is prohibited under the Outdoor Burning Ordinance (Ord. 597).",
     "source": "https://www.ktwp.org/fire-faqs/",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "oshtemo",
   "name": "Oshtemo Township",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Open burning of brush, grass clippings and leaves is allowed with a permit from the fire department. Apply online (Community Connect) or call Station 1 at 269-375-0487, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.",
     "source": "https://www.oshtemo.org/Departments/Fire-Department/Burn-Permits",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    },
    {
     "text": "Burn only between sunrise and sunset, with wind no more than 10 mph, at least 50 feet from structures (25 feet for piles 3 feet or less wide and 2 feet or less high). Keep a hose, shovel and bucket or a 4-A extinguisher nearby. No paper, lumber or building materials.",
     "source": "https://www.oshtemo.org/Departments/Fire-Department/Burn-Permits",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "texas",
   "name": "Texas Township",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Recreational fires and burning brush, leaves and grass clippings are allowed in most areas, but some areas are no-burn (see the township's No Burn Area Map). Get a permit online through Community Connect or call 269-375-4610.",
     "source": "https://www.texastownship.org/200/Burning-Permit",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "richland-township",
   "name": "Richland Township",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Residents with at least 2 acres can apply online for a burn permit. Permits last no more than four consecutive days, and fires must be attended with water on hand.",
     "source": "https://www.richlandtwp.net/departments/fire_department/burn_permit.php",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "cooper",
   "name": "Cooper Township",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Burn permits are no longer required. On 1 acre or more, with no state burn ban, you may burn following the township's rules (attend the fire, water nearby, 50 feet from structures). Under 1 acre, burning barrel only. No garbage, wet leaves, plastics or building materials.",
     "source": "https://www.coopertwp.org/applications/",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "brady",
   "name": "Brady Township",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Burn permits are free from the Brady Township Hall. Call 269-649-1813. Permits are valid for 7 days.",
     "source": "https://www.bradytwp.org/",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "wakeshma",
   "name": "Wakeshma Township",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "Burn permits are handled by the Climax Fire Department: 269-746-4664.",
     "source": "https://wakeshmatownship.com/",
     "status": "verified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  },
  {
   "id": "schoolcraft-township",
   "name": "Schoolcraft Township",
   "facts": [
    {
     "text": "The township site links to a burn permit application run by the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority. We could not load that application page to confirm its details. Unverified, call to confirm.",
     "source": "https://schoolcrafttownshipmi.gov/",
     "status": "unverified",
     "last_checked": "2026-10-27"
    }
   ]
  }
 ]
}