Post Date: 04/08/2020

Since it’s the time of year to have recreational fires, it’s important to follow the stay at home executive order and social distancing guidelines (also known as physical distancing) and avoid person-to-person contact and stay six feet away from others. View strategies to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Help us help you stay safe when having a recreational fire:

Recreational fires are allowed in the city of Mankato without a permit as long as state provisions are met and used for cooking, social or recreational purposes. Social distancing guidelines--avoiding person-to-person contact--should be practiced.

Fire pits, fire rings, or fireplaces must be 25-foot from any building or other combustibles. If using an enclosed fireplace, it should be at least 15-feet from any building or other combustible objects.

Materials permitted in a recreational fire are wood from trees, small branches, brush or charcoal.

Since they are fire hazards, treated lumber materials, construction debris, grass, garbage, plastic or waste materials are not allowed to be burned in recreational fires (Minnesota state statute 88.171).

Someone must attend the recreational fire until it burns out completely or is extinguished. (Minnesota state fire code section 307.5).

Use clean wood with a maximum wood pile that is two feet high by three feet in diameter.

Maintain a 25-foot clearance between the recreational fire and any building, wood pile, dry brush, dry grass, or other flammables.

Keep a fire extinguisher, hose, sand, bucket or shovel nearby.

Once done with recreational fire, place remains in metal can, soak in water and allow at least 24 hours to cool before discarding them. Proper disposal can help prevent a fire from restarting and causing damage. Ashes should be spread in gardens, buried on the property, or disposed of in a landfill.

Extinguish fires immediately if they pose a fire safety risk, are not in compliance with code, or a police officer, firefighter, fire warden or Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officer directs the fire must be put out. (Minnesota state fire code section 307.3).

For more information contact public safety staff at 507-387-8577.