Recreational Burning Regulations

Pursuant to the Fire Chief’s authority under Section 11-77 of the Galesburg Municipal Code, the following rules and regulations regarding recreational fires in the City of Galesburg are established.

There are two types of recreational fires:

  1. In a container such as an outdoor fireplace or a fire pit does not require a permit.
  2. On open ground will require a permit from the Galesburg Fire Department (GFD). There is no charge for this permit.

All recreational fires must be completely extinguished after use.

Any recreational or outdoor cooking fire that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions as determined by the fire code official or his designee shall be prohibited and subject to citation. The fire code official or his designee is authorized to order the extinguishment of recreational fires. 

Violations of the Recreational Burning Regulations may result in a minimum fine of $75 per occurrence.

Only dry seasoned wood shall be used in a recreational fire on the ground or in a burning container. Dry seasoned wood means wood that has been cut and dried for months, has no greenery (leaves or growth) and is not stringy when the bark is stripped off or the wood is split. It should be protected from the weather while in storage. It may not be longer than 24 inches when used.

Household or construction waste, landscape waste, rubbish, refuse, or materials or hazardous waste shall NOT be burned as fuel in any recreational fire.

Prairie Plots: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency requires a plot owner to obtain a permit from IEPA prior to any plot burning including plots on residential lots. This permit must be acquired before GFD will approve a prairie plot management fire [Galesburg Municipal Code: Section 11-76(b)(7) & Section 17-9(j)].

Recreational burning may be banned during long periods of drought or during high wind conditions. The Fire Department will issue announcements if a burning ban becomes necessary.

Outdoor Fireplaces are portable or manufactured burning containers purchased at hardware vendors. 
Outdoor Fire Pits are the ground level units constructed on-site by the owner/occupant of premises.

OUTDOOR FIRE PLACES

  1. All outdoor fireplaces shall be constructed of brick, metal, clay or other non-combustible materials commercially manufactured and specifically designed for the purpose of recreational fires.
  2. Outdoor fireplaces shall have at least 5 feet of clearance from walls and fencing. Fire containers shall not be placed on combustible landscaping (bark, wood chips or mulch).

OUTDOOR FIRE PITS

  1. Pits shall have a minimum of 10 foot clearance, measured from the nearest fire pit edge maintained from buildings, property lines, or other combustible material.
  2. The opening (top) of the pit shall not exceed 2 feet in inside width or in diameter when measured between the widest points.
  3. The sides of the pit shall be enclosed and shall be constructed of bricks, concrete blocks, heavy gauge metal, or other non-combustible materials acceptable to the Fire Chief or his designee. The wall height of the enclosure will be a minimum of 2 feet from grade.

RECREATIONAL FIRES ON OPEN GROUND

  1. Allowable hours for a recreational fire on the ground are between 10am and 10pm. Maximum length of time for this fire is four hours.
  2. Permits must be requested by 9 a.m. on the day the event is to be held. Twenty-four hour notice is appreciated.
  3. The fire must be attended at all times by an adult.
  4. A method of fire control and extinguishment shall be immediately available for utilization. This method may be a minimum 4A rated fire extinguisher, dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose, or water truck.
  5. Fire fuel shall consist of dry seasoned wood. No construction wood, landscape waste, brush, or household trash is allowed.
  6. No flammable liquid or substance shall be used to start or maintain the fire.
  7. The pile of burn material shall be of a size not larger than three feet in diameter and two feet in height.
  8. The fire shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from any structure or other combustible object (fence, tree, shrub).
  9. The fire shall be thoroughly extinguished at the conclusion of the event or by the expiration time on the permit whichever comes first.
    Permit application.

EXCEPTION: Campfires at the Allison Camp Grounds are exempt from the above Recreational Burning Regulations but must comply with the campground campfire policy.

The Fire Chief reserves the right to amend these rules and regulations from time to time as conditions warrant.