Recreational Fires

A recreational fire is an outdoor fire, where the fuel or material being burned, is not in a contained incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or pit, and is used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes. A recreational fire has a maximum fuel area of 3 feet or less, in diameter by 2 feet or less, in height. A permit issued by the Devils Lake Fire Department is required for fires of larger size or other uses.

Guidelines For Conducting Recreational Fires:

• In accordance with our City Ordinance all recreational fires must be covered and screened. The screen must not be larger than 1/4 inch wide.
  
  
• A recreational fire shall not be located within 25 feet of structures or conditions such as dry grass, leaves, or combustible materials that will cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of any structure.
  
  
• Recreational fires are not allowed during a declared fire ban or when the rangeland fir danger index is in the extreme category.
  
  
• Only untreated wood with a recommended diameter of at least 1 inch may be burned. No brush, yard waste, or rubbish is to be burned in a recreational fire.
  
  
• Recreational fires must be located on private property and have approval from all involved parties. Recreational fires are not allowed in easements or right of ways.
  
  
• A cellular or portable phone or other means of reporting an emergency
  must be available for use.
  
  
• Recreational fires are not allowed in winds in excess of 15 miles per hour
  as determined by the Weather Channel. North Dakota Telephone Company,
  channel 20. Midcontinent Communications, channel 5.
  
  
• Recreational fires must be attended until extinguished and a garden hose,
  dirt, water barrel, fire extinguisher or other means of controlling and
  extinguishing the fire shall be available for immediate utilization.
  
  
• Recommended hours for conducting recreational fires are 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight).
  
  
• Any Fire or Police Officer may withdraw permission to conduct a recreational fire due to climate conditions such as extreme dryness, nuisance problems, or violations of these guidelines.
  
  
• Fires in approved and UL listed containers equipped with screens and spark arrestors, must be located a minimum of 15 feet from structures and combustible materials with all other guidelines applying to these types of fires.
  
  
• Cooking devices utilizing charcoal or LP (propane) must be located a minimum of 10 feet from combustible construction with the exception of 1 (one) and 2 (two) family dwellings and this use may be restricted during a declared fire ban.

For additional information, please contact the Fire Department at (701)662-3913 or (701) 662-8122.