The prohibition against open burning described in section 5-3-2 of this chapter shall not apply to the following (the person claiming the exemption shall have the burden of demonstrating that an exception is applicable):
A. The setting of fires to combat or limit existing fires, when reasonably necessary in the judgment of the responsible firefighter in charge of the scene.
B. The setting of fires for training purposes, under the direct supervision of the village fire department or when on the grounds of the Wood River Refining Company under the direct supervision of a qualified member of that company's fire department. These fires shall be subject to the permit process of the Illinois environmental protection agency or other agency or department as otherwise required by law.
C. The burning of fuels for legitimate campfire, recreational and cooking purposes, or in domestic fireplaces; provided, that no garbage shall be burned in such cases.
D. The burning of waste gases; provided, that in the case of refineries, all such flares shall be equipped with smokeless tips or comparable devices to reduce pollution.
E. A permit shall be issued by the fire chief to allow bonfires for recreational purposes. The application for a permit shall include information reasonably demanded by the fire chief including: date, location, sponsor, volume of the materials to be burned, type of materials to be burned, degree of adult supervision, and plans to extinguish the fire. The application shall be filed at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. The maximum number of bonfires shall not exceed two (2) per calendar year for each sponsor or each location. The fire chief may impose reasonable conditions upon the bonfire for safety or environmental purposes.
F. A permit shall be issued by the fire chief to allow bonfires for commercial purposes. The application for a permit shall include information reasonably demanded by the fire chief including: date, location, sponsor, volume of the materials to be burned, type of materials to be burned, degree of adult supervision and plans to extinguish the fire. The application shall be filed at least two (2) weeks prior to the event. The maximum number of bonfires shall not exceed ten (10) per calendar year for each sponsor or each location. The fire chief may impose reasonable conditions upon the bonfire for safety or environmental purposes. Bonfires for commercial purposes shall be permitted:
1. Only on land that is subject to an annexation agreement approved after January 1, 1982;
2. The land is actually used primarily for agricultural purposes; and
3. That the agreement provides that agricultural activities existing on that date of the agreement shall be permitted to continue until the actual conversion of the land into a different use.
G. Burning for which a permit has been issued by the Illinois environmental protection agency (see, e.g., 35 Ill. adm. code section 237.201).
H. Small open flames for heating tar, for welding, acetylene torches, highway safety flares and the like. (Ord. 726, 12-21-1998)