For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
FIRE CHIEF. The Public Safety Director.
FIRE MARSHAL and ASSISTANT FIRE MARSHALS. The Public Safety Director or his/her designee, who is acting in good faith to enforce the Minnesota State Fire Code and local ordinances.
OPEN BURNING. The burning of any matter if the resultant combustion products are emitted directly to the atmosphere without passing through a stack, duct or chimney, except a recreational fire as defined herein.
RECREATIONAL FIRE. A fire set with approved starter fluid no more than three feet in height, three feet in diameter and contained within a non-combustible border of 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, 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. Mobile cooking devices such as manufactured hibachis, charcoal grills, wood smokers and propane gas devices are not defined as recreational fires. RECREATIONAL FIRES can only burn between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday, and no more than one RECREATIONAL FIRE is allowed on any property at one time.
RECREATIONAL FIRE SITE. An area of no more than 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 woodburning fireplaces. Burning barrels are not a RECREATIONAL FIRE SITE as defined herein. RECREATIONAL FIRE SITES shall not be located closer than 25 feet to any structure or urban wetland interface.
STARTER FUELS. Dry, untreated and unpainted kindling, branches or 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 may be used to start an open burn.
WOOD. Dry, clean fuel such as twigs, branches, limbs "presto 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 preservatives. Clean pallets may be used for recreational fires when cut into three foot lengths.
(Prior Code, § 505.02) (Ord. 11-00, passed 8-14-2000; Am. Ord. 01-16, passed 6-13-2016)