Recreational Fires
The summer season brings opportunities for fun, with many homeowners looking forward to BBQs, camping, and enjoying the outdoors. As we prepare to have fun, here are some helpful tips and reminders about recreational and cooking fires.
According to CalFire, residents may have a "recreational fire" for warmth, cooking, or ceremonial activities as long as the fire is contained within an outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill, or fire pit and has a total fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and flames are two feet high or less. The space around a recreational fire should be clear for 10 feet from any combustible materials, 15 feet from a structure, and have no trees directly overhead. Fires must be continuously monitored while burning.
When using BBQs or other portable fireplaces, ensure they are used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, such as having ember screens in place. Have a fire extinguisher or other extinguishing equipment (dirt, sand, a garden hose, or a water barrel) available for immediate use.
Only clean wood may be burned in a recreational fire pit. Other materials, such as wood pallets, trash, and cleared vegetation, can only be used in a debris burn pile. The season for debris burning ended at the start of June and will resume when the rainy season returns.
CalFire has in-depth information on safe fire practices and campfire permits on its website, readyforwildfire.org.
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