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3 Summer 2022 Lake Elmo Public Safety Recreational Fires As patio fire pits and outdoor fireplaces grow in popularity, so does backyard burning. Homeowners enjoy fire pits and outdoor fire- places for warmth, recreation and outdoor burning night cooking. Increase your enjoyment of outdoor fires by knowing you’re doing all you can to burn cleanly, safely, and responsibly for your family, neighbors and community. Recreational fires are restricted by size and material. A recreational fire cannot exceed three feet in diameter nor shall it exceed three feet in height (height of material stacked to burn). The burn site must be completely surrounded with non-combustible material and be constantly attended. Be A Good Neighbor Be a good neighbor when burning and consider your neighbors, as well as wind direction. Often times this prevents unnecessary calls to the fire department regarding smoke. Cleaner Alternatives Learn about your options before burning wood in your backyard. Switching to natural gas or propane reduces harmful air pollutants. Kits that convert existing fire rings and pits to natural gas or propane burners are available at hearth and patio stores. Don’t Wait or Hesitate! If your recreational fire gets out of control, don’t wait or hesitate. Call 911 immediately. Feel free to call Fire Station #1 – 651-770-5006 with any questions. Recreational fires are allowed without a permit under the following guidelines: (1) Only clean, dry, wood can be burned. (2) The fire shall not exceed three feet in diameter with a flame height of three feet maximum. (3) The fire shall take place on the owner’s property and shall be a minimum of 15 feet from property lines. (4) The fire shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. (5) 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. (6) The fire shall not be conducted if the wind speed exceeds ten miles per hour. (7) The use of flammable or combustible liquid accelerants is not permitted. (8) The fire must be constantly attended and supervised by an adult until the fire has been completely extinguished. (9) A connected garden hose or other means to extinguish the fire must be readily available. (10) Any person planning to have a recreational fire must be aware of local burning bans that have been issued by the state depart- ment of natural resources. If a burning ban is in effect, all recreational fires are prohibited. (11) The fire must be extinguished if it becomes a nuisance to others or if not under adult supervision. LEFD Receives New Command Vehicle Late last year, the Lake Elmo Fire Department took delivery of a new Tahoe as C1 which serves as a mobile command unit at emergencies. You won’t be able to miss it if you see it around town!