Fire Dept. - Burning

Burning in the Township... Home Welcome Public Education Services Contact Info Stations Personnel Apparatus FAQ's

Some limited burning is allowed in the Township.  For the most part, burning is limited to recreational or ceremonial type fires. Keep in mind that the Township has a very successful recycling program with regular brush and yard waste pick ups.  

On a regular basis, we receive calls from citizens reporting fires, which initiate full fire incident responses by the department, sending four Fire Trucks, lights and sirens, to find out that someone was burning brush or something else illegally. This can needlessly endanger people for no reason.  SO PLEASE, IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE BURNING, THINK TWICE AND BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES SET FORTH BELOW.

Burning permits are issued under strict guidelines.  If you feel you meet the guidelines set forth, you then need to call and speak with the Fire Marshal, he can provide you with the additional details you need to obtain a permit.  The Fire Marshals may be reached at our business number which is 544-4225.

RECREATIONAL FIRE ORDINANCE

RECREATIONAL FIRES ARE DEFINED AS "OUTDOOR FIRES UTILIZED TO COOK FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION"

YOU MAY HAVE A RECREATIONAL FIRE ON YOUR PROPERTY WITHOUT A PERMIT IF YOU FOLLOW THESE RULES.

• THE FIRE MUST BE UTILIZED TO COOK FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
• YOU MUST USE SEASONED FIRE WOOD ONLY.
• THE FIRE MUST NOT CREATE ANY KIND OF NUISANCE TO ANY OF YOUR NEIGHBORS.
• THE FIRE MUST BE CONSTANTLY ATTENDED.
• THERE MUST BE A MEANS OF EXTINGUISHMENT CLOSE BY.
• ALL FIRE MUST BE AT LEAST 50' AWAY FROM ANY STRUCTURE. 
• NO FIRE CAN BE LARGER THAN 5' X 5' X 5'

EXCEPTIONS TO RECREATIONAL FIRES

SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE FIRES AS CLOSE AS 15’ AWAY FROM THEIR HOMES IN AN APPROVED CONTAINER.

APPROVED CONTAINERS CAN BE:

• "WEBER" –TYPE OUTDOOR FIREPLACES.
• A PROPERLY-CONSTRUCTED FIRE PIT MADE OUT OF METAL, STONE, BRICK OR CONCRETE.

DEFINED AS "AN OUTDOOR FIRES USED FOR CEREMONIAL PURPOSES". PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR BONFIRES

CRITERIA TO RECEIVE A PERMIT:

• YOU MUST USE SEASONED FIRE WOOD ONLY.
• THE FIRE MUST NOT CREATE ANY KIND OF NUISANCE TO ANY OF YOUR NEIGHBORS.
• THE FIRE MUST BE CONSTANTLY ATTENDED.
• THERE MUST BE A MEANS OF EXTINGUISHMENT CLOSE BY.
• ALL FIRES MUST BE AT LEAST 50' AWAY FROM ANY STRUCTURE.
• ALL FIRES MUST BE AT LEAST 5' FROM YOUR PROPERTY LINE.
• NO FIRE CAN BE LARGER THAN 5' X 5' X 5'
• THE MAXIMUM DURATION FOR ANY FIRE IS 3 HOURS.

• APPROVAL OF THE COMPLEX MANAGEMENT IS REQUIRED, SO CHECK WITH YOUR COMPLEX MANAGER BEFORE DOING ANY BURNING AT ALL.  MANAGEMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO PROHIBIT ANY BURNING IN COMPLEXES.  
• GAS GRILLS ARE THE ONLY PERMITTED COOKING DEVICES.
• NO OPEN FIRES ARE PERMITTED FOR RESIDENTS.
• MANAGEMENT CAN APPLY FOR A BONFIRE PERMIT BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE FIRE MARSHALL AT 222 S. FORD BLVD.