For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BURN EVENT SAFETY PLAN. A written prescription for the prescribed fire including critical elements such as the weather conditions under which the burn will be conducted, number of personnel and duties of each, and the type and, amount and placement of equipment needed to safely conduct the burn.
BURNER. A burn barrel or similar enclosure for burning.
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT. A permit that allows the applicant to install or modify systems and equipment for which a permit is required by the MSFC.
CORPORATION COUNSEL. When used in the MSFC means the attorney for the city.
FIRE CHIEF. The fire chief employed by the Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service.
FIRE CODE OFFICIAL. The fire chief or the fire chief's designees.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. The Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service.
JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT. The joint powers agreement, by and between the city of Northfield, the city of Dundas, and the Northfield Rural Fire Protection District, as the same may be amended from time to time, adopted pursuant to M.S. § 471.59.
JURISDICTION. All areas within the corporate limits of the City of Dundas.
MINNESOTA STATE FIRE CODE, FIRE CODE or MSFC. The Minnesota State Fire Code adopted pursuant to M.S. § 299F.011, and as modified by Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7511, and the appendices thereto, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
NORTHFIELD AREA FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE or NAFRS. The joint powers organization governed by the NAFRS Board and established by the joint powers agreement for the purposes of providing fire services, including fire protection, suppression, prevention, technical rescue, non-transport emergency medical services and code enforcement for the above-referenced parties within the fire services area established in the joint powers agreement, including but not limited to the jurisdiction of the city.
OPEN FIRE, OPEN BURN OR OPEN BURNING. A fire burning in matter, whether concentrated or dispersed, which is not contained within a fully enclosed firebox, structure, or vehicle, and from which the products of combustion are emitted directly to the open atmosphere without passing through a stack, duct, or chimney.
OPERATIONAL PERMIT. A permit that allows the applicant to conduct an operation or business for which a permit is required by the MSFC for either: (a) a prescribed period; or (b) until renewed or revoked.
PERMIT. Means, but is not limited to, "operational permits," "construction permits," and "open burn permits."
PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACE. A portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay or other noncombustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design, or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney opening in the top.
RECREATIONAL FIRE. A fire set with approved starter fuel no more than three feet in height, contained within the border of a RECREATIONAL FIRE SITE using dry, clean wood; producing little detectable smoke, odor or soot beyond the property line; for recreational, ceremonial, food preparation or social purposes; extinguished completely before quitting the occasion; and respecting weather conditions, neighbors, burning bans and air quality so that nuisance, health or safety hazards will not be created. No more than one RECREATIONAL FIRE is allowed on any property at one time.
RECREATIONAL FIRE SITE.
(1) An area of no more than a three-foot diameter circle (measured from the inside of the fire ring or border); completely surrounded by non-combustible and non-smoke or odor producing material, either of natural rock, cement, brick, tile or blocks or ferrous metal only and which area is depressed below ground, on the ground, or on a raised bed. Included are permanent outdoor wood burning fireplaces. Burning barrels are not RECREATION FIRE SITES, as defined herein.
(2) RECREATIONAL FIRE SITES shall not be located closer than 25 feet to any structure.
STARTER FUELS. Dry, untreated, unpainted, kindling, branches, cardboard or charcoal fire starter. Paraffin candles and alcohols are permitted as STARTER FUELS and as aids to ignition only. Propane gas torches or other clean gas burning devices causing minimal pollution must be used to start an open burn.
WOOD.
(1) Dry, clean fuel only such as twigs, branches, limbs, "presto logs," charcoal, cord wood or untreated dimensional lumber;
(2) The term does not include wood that is green with leaves or needles, rotten, wet, oil soaked or treated with paint, glue or preservatives; and
(3) Clean pallets may be used for recreational fires when cut into three-foot lengths.
(Ord. 2023-02, passed 3-27-2023)