Recreational Fires

Know Before You Light

Under the City Code, before you ignite a recreational fire (including those in fire pits), you need to verify if there are any restrictions on having a recreational fire that particular day. The Minnesota DNR website indicates where there are fire restrictions in the State [view map]. If the colored map illustrates red over Dakota County no fires are permitted, recreational or otherwise. If the map shows any other color over Dakota County, recreational fires are allowed in Rosemount as long as the following provisions of the Minnesota State Fire Code and the Department of Natural Resources are met. There is no permit requirement for recreational fires in Rosemount although non-recreational fires within the City DO require a permit.

Requirements

• Size: The maximum height of flames are 2 feet, and the maximum diameter of the fire it is 3 feet.
• Clearance: Recreational fires must be at least 25’ from all buildings or combustible materials. Combustible materials are things such as wood, paper and plastics. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25’ of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
• Attendance: Recreation fires must be constantly attended until the fire burns out completely or is extinguished.
• Fire Protections: on-site fire extinguishing equipment, such as a portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4A rating, dirt or sand and a shovel or a garden hose shall be readily available at all times until the fire is extinguished.
• Extinguishment Authority: Recreational fires must be immediately extinguished if they pose a fire safety risk, if they are not in compliance with the above, or when directed to do so by a police officer, firefighter, fire warden or DNR officer. Smoke which is offensive to neighbors, while not necessarily hazardous, may lead to further restrictions. Exercising due caution and common courtesy will help preserve your rights to have a recreational fire.
• Prohibited burning materials are:
  

  Chemically treated materials such as: Railroad ties Treated lumber Composite shingles Tar paper Insulation Composition board Hazardous waste Garbage

  Leaves Brush Oil Rubber Plastic Tires