For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ATTENDANCE. Open burning, recreational fires and use of portable outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly attended by an adult until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel or garden hose shall be made available for immediate utilization.
BURNING BAN. The County Sheriff’s Department has instituted a ban on all or some kinds of burning within the county.
DESIGNATED FIRE OFFICIAL. The Fire Chief, Fire Marshal or any other designee who provides fire protection or public safety services to the city.
OPEN BURNING. The burning of any matter if the resulting combustion products are emitted directly into the atmosphere without passing through a stack, duct or chimney, except a recreational or campfire, as defined herein. Mobile cooking devices such as charcoal grills, wood smokers, manufactured hibachis and propane or natural gas devices are not considered OPEN BURNING DEVICES.
PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACES. Portable outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material.
RECREATIONAL FIRE. A fire set with an approved starter fuel no more than three feet in height contained within a recreational fire site: using dry, clean wood; producing little detectable smoke, odor or soot beyond the property line; conducted with an adult tending the fire at all times; for recreational, ceremonial or social food preparation; extinguished completely before quitting the occasion; and respecting weather conditions, neighbors, burning bans and air quality requirements so that nuisance, health or safety hazards will not be created. A campfire is a type of RECREATIONAL FIRE. No more than one RECREATIONAL FIRE is allowed on any property at one time.
RECREATIONAL FIRE SITE. An area of no more than a three-foot diameter circle (as measured from the inside of the fire ring or border); completely surrounded by non-combustible and non-smoke or odor-producing material, either natural rock, cement, brick, tile, blocks or ferrous metal. Burning barrels are not a RECREATIONAL FIRE SITE. RECREATIONAL FIRE SITES shall not be located closer than 25 feet to any structure or combustible material.
RUNNING FIRE. An attended fire allowed to spread through surface vegetative matter under controlled conditions for the purpose of vegetative management, forest management, game habitat management or agricultural improvement.
STARTER FUELS. Dry, untreated, or unpainted kindling, branches 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 may be used to start an open burn.
WOOD. Dry, clean fuels, such as twigs, branches, limbs, manufactured fireplace logs, charcoal, cord wood or untreated dimensional lumber. WOOD does not include wood that is green with leaves or needles, rotten, wet, oil-soaked or treated with paint, glue or preservatives. Clean pallets may be used for recreational fires when cut into less than three-foot lengths.
(Ord. passed 7-11-2016)