(A) Approval required. A bonfire shall be allowed after obtaining approval from the Fire Official. An application for a bonfire shall be submitted in writing at least ten days before the fire is set and shall be in such form and contain such information as required by the Fire Official. All permits shall be requested by and issued to the owner of the land upon which the bonfire is to be kindled.
(B) Prohibition. The Fire Official shall prohibit a bonfire that will be offensive or objectionable due to smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous. The Fire Official shall order the extinguishment, by the permit holder or the Fire Department, of any bonfire that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.
(C) Location. The location for any bonfire shall not be less than 50 feet (15,240 mm) from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet (15,240 mm) of any structure. Fires in approved containers shall be permitted, provided that such fires are not less than 15 feet (4,572 mm) from any structure.
(D) Attendance. Any bonfire shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. At least one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating, two portable fire extinguishers with a minimum 2-A rating each, or other approved on-site fire extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose, or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.
(E) Bonfire size and duration. A bonfire shall not be more than five feet (1,524 mm) by five feet (1,524 mm) by five feet (1,524 mm) in dimension and shall not burn longer than three hours. The maximum size and duration of a bonfire shall not be increased by the Fire Official unless it is determined that fire safety requirements of the situation and the desirable duration of burn warrant the increase.
(F) Material. Fuel for a bonfire shall consist only of seasoned dry firewood and shall be ignited with a small quantity of paper. The fire shall not be utilized for waste disposal purposes, and the fuel shall be chosen to minimize the generation of air contaminants.
(1982 Code, § 91.34) (Ord. 2009-2, passed 9-14-2009) Penalty, see § 91.99