The Bismarck Fire Department would like to encourage the citizens of Bismarck to use caution when using their fire pit, outdoor fireplaces, chiminea or charcoal grills. The following guidelines should be followed if you plan to use a fire pit or chiminea within the city limits:

• Fire pits or chimineas must be commercially manufactured with spark arresters or be a permanent structure that is part of your landscape design. A hole dug into the ground and ringed with rocks is not considered a fire pit.
• Fire pits must have a total fuel area of three (3) feet or less in diameter and two (2) feet or less in fuel height.
• The device must be placed at least 15 feet from any combustibles including your house, garage, shed, or fence.
• You must have a fire extinguisher, water hose, sand, or some type of extinguishing material available at all times.
• They cannot be placed on wood decks, used on or in enclosed patio decks, or under overhangs.
• Do not burn garbage, leaves, rubbish, or rotten wood that will smoke.
• A spark arrestor screen shall be used to control sparks and embers when provided with the unit.
• Make sure that the fire is out before you leave after having finished enjoying its use. Dose the fire with water or sand and ensure the fire is cool before leaving.
• Never discard ashes into a combustible container or garbage receptacle. Place them in a metal container first and wet them thoroughly with water and let them set.
• While operating chimineas or fire pits, if the smoke or odor emission becomes offensive or objectionable, you will be required to extinguish the fire.
• If your property is bordered by tall grass and vegetation, use extreme caution! Do not use your fire pit, chiminea, outdoor fire place, or charcoal grill in very high or extreme fire danger situations.

The Bismarck Fire Department would also like to encourage citizens that live in an area that is bordered by tall grass and brush to establish a defendable space to protect your home in the event of a fire.

• Maintain a 30 foot clear area around your home.
• Clean areas what have an accumulation of dry leaves and other debris.
• Cut down and remove dead vegetation in your yard that can contribute to fire spread such as old perennials or dead bushes.
• Water your yard to increase the moisture level of the evergreen shrubs and grass.
• For more information on establishing a defendable space visit www.firewise.org.
• The National Weather Service issues the Rangeland Fire Index every morning. See www.weather.gov/bis and look for "Fire Weather".

For more information on how to protect your home from fire visit the Bismarck Fire Department Public Education section at www.bismarck.org/fire