(A) The Fire Chief shall have charge of the prevention and suppression of grass fires and other fires within the city.
(B) It shall be the duty of the Fire Chief to investigate the origin of fires which are illegal by the terms of this chapter, and actively endeavor to secure the conviction of all persons violating this chapter.
(C) The open burning of trees, logs, leaves, brush and stumps is prohibited.
(D) Burning of household trash. In accordance with Public Act 102 of 2012, as amended, the burning of household waste from a family dwelling with the exception of untreated paper is prohibited. Trash that contains plastic, rubber, foam, chemically treated wood, textiles, electronics, chemicals, cardboard, or hazardous materials shall not be burned.
(E) It shall be unlawful to start or have an open fire except recreational fires as permitted in the International Fire Code as adopted in § 150.01 of this Code and as further provided for herein.
(F) This chapter shall not apply to burning of clean firewood or charcoal by persons in authorized areas in public parks for camping and similar purposes, as long as the fire is in an approved container.
(G) Recreational fires are permitted only in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) The recreational wood burning unit, portable outdoor fireplace or recreational fire burn ring shall not be used to burn refuse.
(2) The recreational wood burning unit, portable outdoor fireplace or recreational fire burn ring shall burn only clean firewood.
(3) A recreational fire burn ring shall not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
(4) A recreational fire burn ring shall be located at least 25 feet from any and all structures. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
(5) A recreational wood burning unit or a portable outdoor fireplace shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material.
(6) No person shall start or maintain any fire, including but not limited to a recreational wood burning unit, portable outdoor fireplace, or recreational fire burn ring which creates smoke or other combustion related nuisance to cause respiratory or skin irritation to neighbors. If a nuisance is determined to exist based on the facts and circumstances then prevailing, the Fire Chief or his or her designee will require the immediate extinguishment of the fire.
(7) A recreational wood burning unit, portable outdoor fireplace or recreational fire burn ring shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying with a minimum 4-A rating 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.
(Am. Ord. 160912-1) Penalty, see §
10.99
Statutory reference:
Air pollution control standards generally, see M.C.L.A. §§ 324.5501 et seq.