Recreational fire ban cancelled

The City of Bloomington has cancelled the ban on recreational fires enacted on October 17. Please review the information below to ensure you are following all safety precautions. This information is also available as a handout.

Recreational, ceremonial and camp fire information

A recreational fire is an outdoor fire used for cooking, warming or ceremonial purposes. When having a recreational fire in your yard, remember you are responsible for keeping you, your friends, neighbors and children safe. The intent of the code is to prevent fire hazards for your safety, property and adjacent properties.

Recreational fires and portable fire pits are permitted in accordance with the following conditions:

• Stacked size of firewood may not exceed three (3) feet in diameter by two (2) feet in height;
• Fires shall be located at least 25 feet away from any combustible structures or combustible materials, such as fences, long grass, bins, trash cans, etc.;
• Only firewood may be used (see definition below);
• Fire extinguishing equipment such as buckets, shovels, garden hoses or a fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating must be readily available nearby;
• Fires must be constantly attended by a person within sight of the flames until the fire burns out completely or is extinguished;
• Fires may only be conducted between the hours of 7 a.m. and 12 a.m. (midnight);
• Sustained winds must be less than 10 miles per hour as measured by Police Dispatch; and
• A recreational fire must be immediately extinguished if the Fire Marshal, Fire Chief, responding Police Officer or City Official determines the fire is creating a fire safety hazard.

As a courtesy to your neighbors, please let them know when you intend to have a fire and locate the fire so smoke does not affect their house.

Common mistakes 

• Burning leaves, twigs, and branches. Only clean dry firewood can be burned.
• Fire is not contained in a fire pit, or the fire pit is too large. Fire shall be contained in a fire pit no larger than 3 feet in diameter by 2 feet in height.
• Burning during sustained wind. Recreational fires are not allowed when sustained winds exceed 10 miles per hour. 

Definitions

• Firewood: Dry, clean wood such as Presto Logs, charcoal or cordwood used or intended for use as heating fuel inside a residence or for an outdoor recreational fire. Firewood does not include wood that is green, has leaves or needles, is rotten, wet, oil soaked, or treated with paint, glue, or other preservatives. Construction debris or refuse is not Firewood. City code requires that Firewood be stored in neat stacks, 10 feet from the property lines, screened from view and not in the front yard. 
• Starter fuels: Dry untreated firewood, or charcoal fire starter.