September 21, 2015
Subject: Police Memo – Public Release, Recreational Fire Restrictions in Northfield
From: Monte Nelson, Northfield Chief of Police
As we head into Minnesota Fall weather, the Northfield Police Department would like to remind
Northfield residents of the fire restrictions inside the city. This time of year, many people choose to
light a fire in their yards, whether for a cool evening bonfire or other reasons. Though family time
around a campfire might be enjoyable, we often receive complaints related to burning inside city
limits.
The Police Department requests Northfield residents to consider two guiding principles when having
outdoor fires.
1. Please be considerate of neighbors who might be affected by the smoke from a fire.
2. Please follow the Northfield Ordinance related to outdoor fires/burning, Chapter 26, Article 1 (26-
61 through 26-66.) The following info is a summary of info from the Ordinance.
a. Campfire (and Recreation Fire) means a fire set for cooking, warming, or ceremonial purposes, which is not more than three feet in diameter by three feet high, surrounded by noncombustible and nonsmoke or odor-producing material, either of natural rock, cement, brick, tile or block of ferrous metal only, and which has had the ground five feet from the base of the fire cleared of all combustible material.
b. Wood means dry, clean fuel only, such as twigs, branches, limbs, presto logs, charcoal, cordwood, or untreated dimensional lumber. The term “wood” does not include wood that is green, with leaves or needles, rotten, wet, oil soaked, or treated with paint, glue or preservatives. Clean pallets may be used for recreation fires when cut into three-foot lengths.
c. Campfire and recreation fire sites shall not be located closer than 50 feet from any structure.
d. Burning. A campfire or recreation fire may be ignited only with an approved starter fluid, using dry clean wood; shall produce little detectable smoke, odor or soot beyond the property line; shall be conducted with an adult tending the fire at all times and extinguished completely before quitting the occasion; and shall be conducted with due respect for weather conditions, neighbors, burning bans, and air quality so that a nuisance or health or safety hazard will not be created.
e. The burning of any leaves, brush, refuse, or other materials of like nature is prohibited. (Many complaints are related to inappropriate items being burned, producing noxious smoke.)
f. Burner means a burn barrel or similar enclosure for burning; Burners are prohibited.
The Northfield Police Department asks residents to be considerate and safe when having a Campfire
– Recreation Fire. Please contact the department with any questions at 507-645-4477.
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