(a) Definitions.
(1) "Chimenea" shall mean a clay or ceramic enclosure that is specifically designed for recreational burning.
(2) "Green wood" shall mean any wood that is not seasoned or hardwood.
(3) "Outdoor fireplace" shall mean an elevated enclosure designed specifically for recreational and cooking fires that contains components for ember and flame containment. Outdoor fireplaces are required to have metal grated sides and a lid.
(4) "Recreational fires" shall mean the burning of seasoned firewood for outdoor recreation purposes in an enclosure designed specifically for ember and flame containment, excluding barrels and rocked-in pits. The total fuel area shall not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height.
(5) "Seasoned firewood" shall mean hardwood that has been allowed to dry for six to 12 months.
(6) "Tall grass" shall mean any area of grass that is higher than eight inches.
(7) "Tree line" shall mean any group of tree with a height greater than ten feet.
(b) Regulations Concerning Recreational Fires.
(1) If wind direction causes smoke to be a nuisance to the public, the fire will be required to be relocated or extinguished. The Fire official has the right to determine if wind conditions pose a hazard requiring fires to be extinguished.
(2) Location regulations.
A. Recreational fires shall not be set within 15 feet of tall grass or tree lines.
B. Recreational fires shall not be located within ten feet of vehicles, buildings or structures, including houses, garages, overhangs from buildings such as porches or carports, sheds and wooden fences.
C. Recreational fires shall not be set within five feet from property lines.
D. Recreational fires shall not be set within ten feet from public sidewalks, roads and public right-of-ways.
E. Recreational fires shall not be set within ten feet from any fire lanes.
(c) Additional Restrictions on Recreational Fires.
(1) Only seasoned firewood shall be burned in outdoor fireplaces and chimeneas; no rubbish, green wood or treated wood, painted wood, stained wood or pallets will be permitted to be burned;
(2) Outdoor fireplaces are required to be covered with lids when not being used to cook food;
(3) Generally, all store-purchased chimeneas and fireplaces are acceptable burning receptacles;
(4) Flames shall not be higher than the components of the fireplaces;
(5) An adequate fire extinguisher (one extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or two extinguishers with a minimum 2-A rating) or garden hose is required to be readily accessible in close proximity to the fire;
(6) A responsible adult is required to be in close proximity to the fire until extinguished;
(7) All recreational fires shall be attended to at all times and properly extinguished when done. Fires may only be burned between the hours of 8:00 a.m and 1:00 a.m.;
(8) No fires are to be built directly on the ground; and
(9) The Fire Department has the authority to determine if a recreational fire meets acceptable standards for safe burning. If a fire official deems that the fire container is unsafe, the fire shall be extinguished. The Fire Department has the authority to immediately shut down any recreational fire if the fire is determined to constitute a hazardous condition.
(Ord. 9204-2005. Passed 5-17-05.)