Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Fires Policy

• This policy establishes procedures for administering recreational, ceremonial, and other fires not requiring open-burning permits

Updates

• Future updates are the responsibility of the Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction “CRRD”, in conjunction with the PPM Committee, under the authority of the Fire Rescue Administrator.
• This policy applies to all Palm Beach County Fire Rescue personnel and reservists

Definitions

• Ceremonial fires are bonfires and fires for religious purposes
• Recreational fires are campfires, cooking fires, or fires for warmth
• Backyard burning fires designed as a means to dispose of yard debris are not permitted within the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
• This policy establishes the requirements for “non-permitted" burning in terms of "Ceremonial and Recreational Fires” and the actions required for violations to this policy.

Permitting

• Recreational fires don't need a permit, but must meet certain requirements
• Ceremonial fires require an approval letter from the Fire Marshal's Office
• Submit a letter of request and site map to the Fire Marshal for an approval letter, if all conditions are met.
• Approved persons must contact the area fire station to verify burning is permitted on the approved date of the event.

Conditions of Approval

• Residential “Backyard” burning is allowed for recreational purposes if the fire is contained in commercial “off-the-shelf” devices with UL approval or in a fire pit meeting Fire Marshal requirements
• Recreational and Ceremonial Fires must meet specific criteria:
  • Recreational fires cannot exceed 36 inches in diameter
  • Ceremonial fire size is dictated by site, setbacks, extinguishment capabilities, Fire Rescue access, and weather conditions, and must not exceed thirty feet in height
  • Incinerators, outside fireplaces, permanent barbeques, fire pits, or similar structures must be approved by the Fire Marshal
  • Only untreated wood can be burned Avoid burning these items: charcoal briquette, lump charcoal, manufactured logs, driftwood, trash, leaves, papers, cardboard, plywood, painted or stained wood, or pressure treated wood, and avoid using softwoods like pine or cedar
  • Fires must be attended at all times with a means of extinguishment immediately available
  • Fires must be fully extinguished when not attended
  • Fires cannot create an undue fire hazard or excessive smoke
  • Fires must be 50’ from all structures, vegetation, and paved public roadways
  • No combustible or flammable liquids within 50’ of the fire
  • Contact the fire station closest to the site before igniting the fire to verify if a burn ban is in effect
• A unit may be required to stand-by on the scene during such events at the District or Battalion Chief's discretion.

Investigations/Smoke Complaints

• Units may investigate complaints about recreational or ceremonial fires
• These fires are not permitted during days when open burning is prohibited
• Personnel should verify burn approval, as permits aren't issued for this fire type, but letters are
• Use good judgment when determining if a recreational fire creates an undue hazard
• Fires not meeting the criteria should be modified or extinguished
• Fires meeting requirements but creating an undue fire hazard should be extinguished
• Repeated violations may result in a Notice of Violation, and the Fire Marshal's office must be notified via email

Burn Ban

• Recreational or ceremonial fires are not permitted when a countywide burn ban is issued by Fire Rescue or the Division of Forestry.