by Andrew Getty
Well, it isn’t even the summer season yet, and already the Code Office has received a number of complaints about camp fires.
The complaints usually involve smoke bothering the neighbors.
This is typical in developed areas where the houses are close together and people have their windows open because of the warmer temperatures.
You would think complaints might be generated from campgrounds where the sites are really close together, but the Code Office, at least in the Town of Webb, has never received any complaints from campgrounds.
Through the years complaints come from all around the Town, numerous locations around the Chain of Lakes, a few from Big Moose Lake, a couple from the Okara Lakes and even as far out there as Beaver River.
All of us enjoy a campfire as much as anybody else. And they are legal, within certain conditions.
Size, location, what is burned and where the smoke goes are the basic components for a legal campfire.
Can the Code Office do anything?
Yes, if we have to. The first step is to try and communicate with the property owner or the renter.
Usually the potential violation is about the smoke creating a health hazard, or at least an annoyance to the neighborhood.
Tickets could be issued, but every effort is made to get people to understand the nuisance they are creating and simply stop creating the problem in the first place.
Straight out of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the Fire Code of New York State, specifically 307.1.1 – Prohibited Open Burning.
SECTION 307 – OPEN BURNING AND RECREATIONAL FIRES
307.1 General.
A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance with this section.
307.1.1 Prohibited open burning.
Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.
307.2 Authorization.
Where required by state or local law or regulations, open burning shall only be permitted with prior approval from the state or local air and water quality management authority, provided that all conditions specified in the authorization are followed.
307.4 Location.
The location for open burning shall not be less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of any structure.
Exceptions:
1. Fires in approved containers that are not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) from a structure.
2. The minimum required distance from a structure shall be 25 feet (7620 mm) where the pile size is 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height.
307.4.1 Bonfires.
A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit.
Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
307.4.2 Recreational fires.
Recreational fires (different from “open burning”) shall not be conducted within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure or combustible material.
Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
307.5 Attendance.
Open burning, bonfires or recreational fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished.
A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.