Recreation Fire Safety Reminder From the Golden Valley Fire Department

For the sake of public safety and neighborly relations, the Golden Valley Fire Department reminds residents to make sure their recreational fires are properly managed and have the proper permits.

Conditions must also be right. If the wind is blowing more than 10 miles per hour, pick another day to have a fire, said Golden Valley Fire Chief Mark Kuhnly. It’s basic etiquette. It’s also a city ordinance.

With the popularity of outdoor fire pits, construction of permanent fire rings and sales of manufactured fire pits have been on the rise. In response, the Golden Valley City Council passed an upgraded ordinance several years ago that restricts how recreational fires are managed.

A city permit is required before starting any recreational fire. There’s no fee, Kuhnly says. It’s just to make sure people are being responsible in terms of safety and neighborly etiquette. Recreational Fire Permits are valid for one calendar year and expire annually Dec 31.

Lawful fires must:

• be constantly attended by a responsible person age 18 or older until extinguished (whenever a recreational fire is burning, this person must have the Recreational Fire Permit available upon request by the City)
• not be used to burn yard waste, construction materials, or common household trash (clean, dry wood is the only acceptable fuel)
• remain within an approved outdoor fireplace that is at- or below-grade and doesn’t exceed 7.5 square feet with a perimeter not exceeding 10 feet. The outside edge must be ringed with brick, rock, or other non-combustible material to prevent -fire spread.
• not be allowed if wind speeds exceed 10 miles per hour
• not exceed three feet in height as measured from the base of the fire
• remain a safe distance from any structure or combustible materials

A garden hose or other adequate means to extinguish must be available for emergency purposes. Violations result in a one-year revocation of any Recreational Fire Permits.

Recreational Fire Permits can be obtained online. For more information, contact the Golden Valley Fire Department at 763-593-8065.

(Information provided by the city of Golden Valley's website.)