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Revised: 5/29/2020 CITY OF LARAMIE FIRE DEPARTMENT Life Safety & Fire Prevention Division P.O. Box C Laramie, WY 82073 (307) 721-5330 FAX (307) 721-5333 (307) 721-5332 GUIDELINES FOR OPEN BURNING AND RECREATIONAL FIRES The information contained in these guidelines is found in the 2024 International Fire Code Chapter 3, Section 307.4.2 -307.4.3; Recreational Fires . Open Burning is defined as the burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Recreational Fire is defined as an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes A permit is required for any type of open burning or bonfire within the Laramie City limits. Such permits are not routinely granted. Justifiable cause must be demonstrated before such a permit will be granted. Other governmental agencies regulating environmental emissions should also be contacted for needed approval(s), if necessary (DEQ, EPA, etc.). The Fire Department (721-5332) and Laramie-Albany County Records & Communications (dispatch) (721-2526) shall be notified prior to the commencement of open burning or a recreational fire. Open Burning Materials Restrictions: Opening burning of rubbish containing paper products is prohibited. Time and Atmospheric Conditions: Open burning shall only be conducted when the time and atmospheric conditions comply with the limits set forth in the permit. Location: Open burning shall not be conducted within 50 feet of a structure or other combustible materials. Conditions which could cause the fire to spread within 50 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition of the fire. (This includes combustible vegetation.) The fire code considers a wooden fence to be a structure. EXCEPTION: Clearances from structures and other combustible materials is allowed to be reduced as follows: 1. Not less than 15 feet when burning is conducted in an approved burning appliance. 2. Not less than 25 feet when the pile size is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. ---PAGE BREAK--- Revised: 5/29/2020 Fire Extinguishing Equipment: Approved fire extinguishing equipment shall be readily available for use at open burning sites. (The necessary extinguishing equipment may include a garden hose, approved extinguishers, firefighting tools such as shovels, etc.) A garden hose connected to a water supply or other approved fire extinguishing equipment shall be readily available for use at open-burning sites. Attendance: An attendant, knowledgeable in the use of the required fire extinguishing equipment and familiar with the permit limitations, shall supervise the ignition and burning of the materials until it is extinguished. The fire shall not be left unattended at any time. (This applies to both open burning and recreational fires.) Discontinuance: The Chief or his designee is authorized to require that open burning be immediately discontinued if the Chief or his designee determines that smoke emissions are offensive to occupants of surrounding property or if the open burning is determined by the chief or his designee to constitute a hazardous condition. Recreational Fires Location: Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible materials unless contained within an approved pit. Conditions which could cause the fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition of the fire. The fire code considers a wooden fence to be a structure. Fire Extinguishing Equipment: Buckets, shovels, garden hoses, or a fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating shall be readily available for use at recreational fires. Attendance: Recreational Fires shall be constantly attended by a person knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment required in the above section. An attendant shall supervise a recreational fire until such fire has been extinguished. Weather Conditions: A recreational fire shall not be conducted when wind speeds exceed twenty (20) mph or such winds are expected. A passing storm front can cause gusting wind. Discontinuance: The Chief or his designee is authorized to require that recreational fires be immediately discontinued if such fires are determined by the chief or his designee to constitute a hazardous condition. A nuisance complaint about smoke conditions shall also warrant immediate extinguishment of the recreational fire. For further information regarding open burning and recreational fires or to obtain a permit, contact the Laramie Fire Department Life Safety and Fire Prevention office at [PHONE REDACTED].