GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A petition to legalize portable fire pits is revving back up in hopes of lifting a city ban before summer.

Daniel Geurink started this petition last year to allow backyard campfires. He has support of his city commissioners in the First Ward, though it's not clear if a majority of Grand Rapids leaders favor a change.

"I'm hoping we can champion that cause and get something passed," said First Ward City Commissioner Jon O'Connor, who took office in January after winning an uncontested election to replace Walt Gutowski, who was term-limited.

"It's America. lt's an American tradition to be able to sit in your backyard with friends and enjoy a fire."

RELATED: 'Silly' backyard bonfire ban challenged in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids city ordinance currently prohibits recreational fires along with open burning of leaves, yard waste and garbage. Outdoor food cooking is legal only in gas and charcoal grills. Recreational blazes pose a fire hazard and create smoke that can disturb neighbors, according to the fire department.

City firefighters respond to about 300 "illegal burns" annually.

Geurink wants Grand Rapids to allow wood fires in above-ground containers as long as they are controlled, attended when lit and at least 10 feet from all decks and combustible structures. His petition has about 2,000 signatures.

"I just came to the City Commission with a problem and didn't have a solution (last year)," Geurink said. "We've done our homework this time.

"We've used the surrounding cities as a guide. Our hope is to pass this by Memorial Day so this summer we can enjoy some backyard fires."

Neighboring Kentwood allows portable fire pits when they're at least 15 feet from a building, deck or fence. Wyoming allows backyard fires in commercially-manufactured pits that have a lid, and requires them to be at least 20 feet from combustible material.

Among larger area cities, Kalamazoo and Muskegon allow fires no larger than 3 feet wide, so long as fires are attended and at least 25 feet from structures.

Grand Rapids City Commission in 2004 was prepared to permit portable fire pits that stand off the ground and have a lid or chimney, but then-Mayor George Heartwell changed his mind and the existing ban was upheld by a 4-3 vote.

Heartwell at the time said fire pits would be fine "if we could keep the smoke in our back yards." Lacking that, the pits pose a health hazard to neighbors, he said. Second Ward City Commissioner Ruth Kelly echoes that concern.

"Smoke travels so it can't be contained in one family's backyard," Kelly said. "Smoke-filled air flows and, therefore, can enter another's home and affect their air quality, much as second-hand smoking does."

Matt Vande Bunte writes about government and other issues on MLive. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.