With summer approaching, the
Tacoma Fire Department offers the following reminder regarding outdoor
fire regulations. Note - all outdoor fires are prohibited during air quality or fire safety burn
bans (with the exception of when Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) used as the fuel).
PORTABLE
FIRE DEVICES with OPEN FLAME: A non-combustible device such as a fire
pit, fire bowl or chiminea that contains the fire. Use
conditions:
- Only clean natural firewood, charcoal, manufactured fire logs or LPG are permissible fuels.
- Fire extinguisher with rating of 4-A or greater, or a charged hose with a nozzle attached is required to be readily available.
- 15 foot distance from any structure is required.
- Fire shall be attended at all times.
RECREATIONAL
FIRE: A
recreational fire where the fuel is not contained in an outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue 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. Additionally, the fire is not being conducted on public property where fires are prohibited, such as in a park or on school grounds. Fires in parks are only allowed where specifically authorized and where appropriate burning receptacles are provided. Use
conditions:
- Only clean natural firewood, charcoal or manufactured fire logs are permissible fuels.
- Fire extinguisher with a rating of 4-A or greater, or a charged hose with a nozzle attached is required to be readily available.
- 25 foot distance from any structure is required.
- If wind creates a hazard of fire spread the fire shall be extinguished.
- Vegetation or other combustible material creating a path for fire spread shall be removed prior to starting the fire.
- Fire shall be attended by an adult at all times.
- Not permitted during a burn ban.
FUEL
RESTRICTIONS:
- Burning yard waste is illegal.
- Burning garbage is illegal.
- Burning cardboard or paper, except to start a fire is illegal.
- Burning building materials i.e. scrap wood, paint, vinyl flooring, roofing, carpet etc. is illegal.
- Burning dead animals is illegal.
- Burning of plastic, rubber, trash or other prohibited fuel may constitute an unauthorized release of hazardous material to the atmosphere.
PERMITS
REQUIRED from the Tacoma Fire Department:
- A BONFIRE permit (under the special events tab) is required for open fires with a fuel volume exceeding 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height with more restrictive conditions. There is a permit fee associated with this activity. Please complete the Bonfire Permit, or call 253.591.5740.
- A permit is not required for ceremonial underground cooking fires.
- A permit is not required for recreational fires as previously defined.
ENFORCEMENT
- All illegal or unattended fires shall be extinguished immediately.
- Causing a nuisance is illegal. If the smoke from the fire bothers the neighbors, damages their property or otherwise causes a nuisance, the fire shall be extinguished.
- Violation of a Burn Ban Order is subject to citation from the Tacoma Fire Department and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
- Burning illegal fuel is subject to citation from the Tacoma Fire Department and Puget Sound Clean Air.
- Violation of the Fire Code is a misdemeanor with penalties up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail.
- Puget Sound Clean Air penalties start at $2,000 to a maximum of $17,000 for each occurrence.
- For more information about burn bans visit the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency web site @ www.pscleanair.org or 1-800-552-3565.
