MONROE - Fire danger in Green County is low, so it's time for s'mores, hot dogs and camp songs - but make sure your fire pit is up to code.
Monore Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said as long as your fire pit is a manufactured product and not just a steel trash can in the yard, you should be fine.
"You can't just dig a hole in the ground and throw some firewood in there," he said.
Fire pits are permitted in city limits, and Rausch said he seldom hears complaints about their use. In the 12 years he has worked for the fire department, Rausch said he could not recall a single instance where a fire got out of control from recreational use.
Leaves, trash, plastic or treated wood are prohibited from being burnt unless a permit is granted by the city. Cardboard, office paper and newspapers are also not allowed - so this story you're reading is off limits for kindling.
As long as a fire pit isn't located on a deck or frozen lake, there shouldn't be any legal problems, Rausch said.
"Most of the complaints are just neighbors complaining about smoke, and then we usually find out whether it's legal or illegal," he said.
Rausch said devices used to control outdoor recreational fires need to be factory-made and approved by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Outdoor wood furnaces must be 50 feet away from the nearest building, and a chimney must extend at least 15 feet into the air. Barbeque, gas and charcoal grills are allowed at all times.
Monore Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said as long as your fire pit is a manufactured product and not just a steel trash can in the yard, you should be fine.
"You can't just dig a hole in the ground and throw some firewood in there," he said.
Fire pits are permitted in city limits, and Rausch said he seldom hears complaints about their use. In the 12 years he has worked for the fire department, Rausch said he could not recall a single instance where a fire got out of control from recreational use.
Leaves, trash, plastic or treated wood are prohibited from being burnt unless a permit is granted by the city. Cardboard, office paper and newspapers are also not allowed - so this story you're reading is off limits for kindling.
As long as a fire pit isn't located on a deck or frozen lake, there shouldn't be any legal problems, Rausch said.
"Most of the complaints are just neighbors complaining about smoke, and then we usually find out whether it's legal or illegal," he said.
Rausch said devices used to control outdoor recreational fires need to be factory-made and approved by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Outdoor wood furnaces must be 50 feet away from the nearest building, and a chimney must extend at least 15 feet into the air. Barbeque, gas and charcoal grills are allowed at all times.