Open Burning

Definitions

• Open Burning: Any outdoor fire that is intentionally lit that is not used for recreation or cooking.
• Recreation Fire: Fire in a contained, confined area not exceeding 5' x 5', used to entertain or cook, fueled by sticks, small limbs, logs, charcoal, or camping fuel only.
• Patio Wood Burning Unit: A chimney, patio warmer, or other portable wood burning device used for outdoor recreation and/or heating.
• Waste Materials: All substances other than those permitted as fuel in Recreation Fires — specifically including garbage, trash, refuse, lumber, building materials, and tires.
• Competent Person: Anyone over the age of 18 who is not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Notification Required

All residents, organizations, and businesses must notify the District's Fire Chief or designated representative at least 24 hours in advance of any Open Burning. Your notification must include:

• ● Address where the Open Burning will occur
• ● Description of the fire, including size and contents
• ● Name of the Competent Person responsible
• ● Immediate contact phone number
• ● Approximate hours of the burn

Prohibited Burning

• Burning of any Waste Materials — including garbage, trash, refuse, lumber, building materials, and tires
• Burning during a Red Flag Warning or drought conditions as determined by the National Weather Service
• Burning during a temporary burn ban issued by the Fire Chief
• Any burning prohibited under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/1 et seq.)

Requirements & Restrictions

• ● All fires must be reported before being lit
• ● A Competent Person must attend the fire at all times with a Means of Extinguishment ready for immediate use
• ● Any fire that becomes uncontrolled must be reported immediately
• ● Open Burns must not exceed 6' x 6' without a prior site inspection
• ● Fires must be at least 50 feet from any motor vehicle or structure
• ● No burning within 20 feet from the edge of any public roadway
• ● Fires must be at least 300 feet from any school, park, nursing home, multi-family structure, or residence of a person with a chronic respiratory disease
• ● Patio wood burning units must be at least 15 feet from any neighboring structure
• ● Only one Open Burn (not including recreation fires or patio units) per property at a time
• ● Fires must not impede normal traffic flow or visibility on any public roadway

Enforcement & Fees

The Fire Chief and department members are authorized to extinguish any Open Burn that presents an unreasonable danger to persons or property. Violations may result in reimbursement fees: