Outdoor burns, fire pits, grills covered by city code
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
Unlike Thanksgiving Day 2009, Brentwood’s Fire & Rescue Department had a fairly quiet 2011 holiday. Two years ago, fire destroyed a Foxboro home. It started on the deck where a turkey had been grilled earlier in the day.

A Brentwood family's 2009 Thanksgiving was ruined by a fire started by a grill outside their Foxboro home. BHP file photo.

More recently, the department fought a dangerous two-acre brush fire caused by the remains of a campfire on a ridge that emergency vehicles could not access.

Given the holiday season, as well as the growing popularity of fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, Brentwood Fire Marshal Nancy Jones shared information about the city’s fire code as well as fire-prevention safety tips on outdoor burning.

Of the recent ridge fire, caused by an abandoned campfire set by juveniles, she said, “In this particular case, the fire should never have been started. The wind alone should have been a red flag.  Even if someone was there the fire could have easily become uncontrollable due to the wind.”

She also recalled problems a few years ago during the annual citywide luminaria display.

“We had several grass fire incidents when the wind and the flames of candle luminaries got together to ignite some front yards,” she said. This year’s Luminary Event is planned Saturday, Dec. 10.

Burning for the purpose of clearing vegetation from land for new development or a change in the use of the land requires that:

A burn permit be issued.

The property containing the burn site must be 20 acres in size.

The burning must take place at least 500 feet from any building, roadway, walkway, or other location as specified by the Fire Marshal.

Materials to be burned are restricted to on-site vegetation.

Materials must be in a pit and an air curtain destructor or incinerator must be used.

Burning must take place between 7 a.m. and dark.

Burning for the purpose of disposing of detached tree limbs and leaves requires that:

A burn permit be issued.

The property containing the burn site must be 3 acres in size.

The burning must take place at least 300 feet away from any adjacent lot or tract with a residential dwelling or other occupied structure.

Materials to be burned consist solely of leaves and limbs gathered on the property where the burning is taking place.

The use of an Air Curtain Destructor may be required by the Fire Marshal based on the size and location of the burn, and other relevant safety issues.

Burning must take place between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Small outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, portable gas, or portable charcoal barbecue grills are allowed without a permit provided that:

It is being used for the purpose of non-commercial food preparation.

It is being operated a minimum of 10 feet from any structure.

It is contained in such a manner as to prevent the spread of fire.

The material being burned consists solely of wood, vegetation, or charcoal.  No rubber, asphalt, or other household trash may be burned.

Regardless of the type of burning being conducted, the person responsible for the fire shall be held liable for any injuries or damage sustained as a result.  Fires must never be left unattended and a method of extinguishment must be immediately accessible. 

The Fire Marshal or Fire Marshal’s representative may order a fire extinguished at any time if they determine it poses a nuisance or hazard to the public at large, or may prohibit burning altogether due to weather conditions or other environmental circumstances.

For more information about fire safety, contact Jones at 371-0170.