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:

• 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.

Fire Pits, Chimineas and Recreational Fires

The following are guidelines for using the Fire pits (recreational fires) within the Devils Lake City limits.

Definitions

(2003 & 2009 IFC 302.1)

BONFIRE. An outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes.

OPEN BURNING. The Burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include…recreational fires or use of portable outdoor fireplaces.

PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACE. A portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay or other noncombustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney opening in the top.

RECREATIONAL FIRE. An outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.

Requirements

(IFC 307.1.1) Prohibited Open Burning. Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.

(IFC 307.2.1) Authorization. Where required by state or local laws or regulations, open burning shall only be permitted with prior approval from state or local air and water quality management authority, provided that all conditions specified in the authorization are followed.

(IFC 307.3) Extinguishment Authority.  The fire code official is authorized to order extinguishment by the person responsible or the fire department of open burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.

(IFC 307.4) Location.  The location for open burning shall not be less than 50 feet from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure.

Exceptions:

• Fire in approved containers that are not less than 15 feet from a structure.
• The minimum required distance from a structure shall be 25 feet where the pile size is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height

(IFC 307.4.1) Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread to within 50 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

All Bonfires within the City limits of Devils Lake must obtain a permit from Ramsey County Health Department and must have the Devils Lake Fire Department sign the permit prior to ignition.

(IFC 307.5) Attendance. Open burning, bonfires, recreational fires and use of portable outdoor fireplaces shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved onsite fire extinguishing equipment such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.

(IFC 307.4.2) Recreational Fires (Fire Pit) Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

(IFC 307.4.3) Portable outdoor fireplaces (Chimineas, above ground fire pits, fireplaces). Portable outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material.

Approved Examples