Safety While Enjoying Summer Fires

The warmer weather is beginning to draw people outside once again – and that means more gatherings around campfires. Division Chief of Fire Prevention Troy Haase says fire pits should be secure – and follow the proper codes, remaining 25 feet from your home unless it’s a built-in structure, which must be 10 feet from your home. Haase tells us the rules were set because “we’re really trying to prevent fires from traveling into homes. You know, grass getting started and burning up homes. Everybody is so close and tight in town, there’s really not a lot of room for error.” Haase also says communicating with neighbors reduces complaints that force the department to shut down a casual evening around the fire pit.