A. Open Burning: This regulation covers recreational fires and bonfires.
B. Recreational Fires And Bonfires Defined: Recreational fires are considered small fires for the purpose of enhancing social interaction, and for religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes. There are two (2) types of recreational fires: those in outdoor fireplaces, and firepit or ground fires. A bonfire is an outdoor fire generally used for ceremonial purposes and requires a permit from the Sycamore Fire Department.
C. Burning Of Leaves Or Garden Debris Is Prohibited: The burning of leaves, lawn rakings and landscape waste is prohibited. Such material shall be placed in approved yard waste bags at curbside, with a weight of less than fifty (50) pounds. Branches and limbs shall be tied in bundles no more than four feet (4') in length and two feet (2') in diameter, not to exceed fifty (50) pounds. The City contracts with a private hauler to collect such yard waste between April 1 and November 30.
D. Recreational Fires In A Portable Outdoor Fireplace: An outdoor fireplace is a commercially produced chamber, enclosure, or screened enclosure, portable in design, for the purpose of containing a recreational fire of two feet (2') or less in diameter and two feet (2') or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes. The products of combustion will either pass through a chimney prior to being emitted into the air or the chamber will be a screened enclosure with a lid covering the screened area of combustion.
Recreational fires in a container such as an outdoor fireplace do not require a permit. Recreational fires in an outdoor fireplace shall be at least fifteen feet (15') from any structure. The devices shall not be allowed on combustible surfaces. Fuel used for recreational fires shall be seasoned dry firewood or charcoal only. The fire must be entirely contained within the outdoor fireplace. The fire shall be attended at all times. A portable fire extinguisher of at least a 4-A rating, or other approved on site fire extinguishing equipment such as dirt, sand, or a garden hose shall be readily available. Recreational fires may be extinguished by the fire department if the fire is deemed a health or safety hazard.
E. Recreational Fires In A Fire Pit Or On The Ground: A fire pit should generally be at least four inches (4") in depth and shall be surrounded on the outside, aboveground, by noncombustible materials such as stone, steel, brick, or masonry. Recreational fires in a fire pit or on the ground do not require a permit.
The fire pit cannot exceed three feet (3') in diameter, nor may the fire pile exceed two feet (2') in height. A fire on the ground should be contained with rocks or noncombustible screening to contain the fuel within a dedicated space. Recreational fires in a fire pit or on the ground shall be at least twenty five feet (25') from any structure or combustible material. A fire should not be started in a fire pit or on the ground when very dry conditions due to exceptionally dry weather are present. In addition, conditions (such as dry grass or other combustible material) which could cause a fire to spread within twenty five feet (25') of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. The fire size shall not be greater than three feet (3') in diameter and two feet (2') in height. Fuel used for recreational fires shall be dry firewood or charcoal only. The fire shall be attended at all times. A portable fire extinguisher of at least a 4-A rating or other approved on site fire extinguishing equipment such as dirt, sand, garden hose shall be readily available. Recreational fires may be extinguished by the fire department if the fire is deemed a health or safety hazard.
F. Bonfires: A bonfire is an outdoor fire generally used for ceremonial purposes and it requires a permit from the Sycamore fire department. A bonfire shall not be conducted within fifty feet (50') of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions (such as dry grass or other combustible material) which could cause a fire to spread within fifty feet (50') of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. A permitted bonfire could be prohibited if very dry conditions exist due to exceptionally dry weather and/or exceptionally windy conditions that could spread the fire within fifty feet (50') of a structure. The bonfire shall not exceed three (3) hours in duration. The fuel used for bonfires may be wood pallets, dry firewood or other fuel approved by the fire department. The fire shall be attended at all times. At least one portable fire extinguisher of a 4-A rating or other approved on site fire extinguishing equipment such as dirt, sand, garden hose shall be readily available. Bonfires may be extinguished by the fire department if the fire is deemed a health or safety hazard.
G. Bonfire Permit: Bonfires can be permitted by the fire chief or his designee, if requested ten (10) days prior to the date of burning. Bonfire applications can be obtained from the Sycamore fire department, 535 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, Illinois.
H. Extinguishment Ordered By Fire Department: The following are circumstances wherein the fire department will require the immediate extinguishment of the fire regardless if any or all other measures are met:
1. Very dry conditions due to exceptionally dry weather.
2. Exceptionally windy conditions.
3. The burning of construction materials of any type.
4. The burning of any CCA (green treated) wood.
5. The burning of any combustible material other than seasoned firewood or charcoal.
6. Hazardous or objectionable open burning where the emission of smoke or odors impact other persons in the vicinity of the fire.
7. The lack of a responsible person monitoring the fire.
8. The lack of on site fire extinguishing equipment.
When, in the opinion of the fire official, a hazard exists due to open burning that is not conducted within the safe parameters defined in this section, the fire official, using good sound judgment and in consideration of the conditions that could present a hazard due to the use of the open fire, shall have the authority to have the fire extinguished.
I. Amends Locally Adopted Fire Prevention Code: This section amends section 307 of the 2006 international fire code in its entirety.
J. Enforcement: Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to penalty as provided in the City of Sycamore Consolidated Fee Schedule. (Ord. 2011.10, 7-5-2011; amd. Ord. 2023.04, 5-1-2023)