A. Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to establish the guidelines for recreational fires.
B. Definitions:
PERMANENT FIRE RING: Must be constructed of concrete, steel or other approved noncombustible materials. The ring must extend at least six inches (6") below the ground and extend at least six inches (6") above the ground. The area around a permanent fire ring must be cleared of all grass and vegetation for at least five feet (5').
PERMITTED MATERIALS: The only materials permitted in a recreational fire are wood from trees, small branches, or charcoal.
PROHIBITED MATERIALS: Include leaves, brush, oil, rubber, plastic, tires, chemically treated materials such as railroad ties, treated lumber, construction debris, composite shingles, tar paper, insulation composition board, waste materials, hazardous waste or garbage.
RECREATIONAL FIRE: An outdoor fire burning permitted materials where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of three feet (3') or less in diameter and two feet (2') or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.
STRUCTURES: Include a house, garage, shed, deck or fence.
C. Requirements:
1. Adult Supervision Required: All recreational fires shall be supervised by an adult who is in the immediate vicinity of the recreational fire until it is extinguished.
2. Extinguisher Or Similar Device Required: A fire extinguisher with a minimum 4A rating, dirt or sand and a shovel or a garden hose shall be readily available at all times until the fire is extinguished.
3. Wind Restriction: No fire shall be allowed if the winds are greater than fifteen (15) miles per hour.
4. Smoke Complaints: Complaints about smoke from a fire shall be cause for immediate extinguishment of the fire.
5. Extinguishment Authority: All fires shall be extinguished at the direction of the fire department, police department, or DNR fire warden.
6. Prohibited Materials: No prohibited materials as defined in Minnesota statutes shall be combusted in a recreational fire.
7. Recreational Fire Site: Recreational fires, including fires in freestanding, manufactured fire pits, shall not be conducted within twenty five feet (25') of a structure or combustible material. Conditions that could cause a fire to spread within twenty five feet (25') of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
8. Wood Length Limit: No wood combusted in a recreational fire shall exceed three feet (3') in length. (Ord. 2011-08, 6-21-2011)