RECREATIONAL FIRES AND OPEN BURNING REGULATIONS VILLAGE OF MAHOMET 503 EAST MAIN STREET P.O. BOX 259 MAHOMET, IL 61853 Phone: 217-586-4456 Fax: 217-586-5696 E-mail: villageofmahomet@mahomet-il.gov Website: http://mahomet.govoffice.com
OVERVIEW Effective August 1, 2009, the open burning of landscape waste and other materials within the Village of Mahomet is prohibited. Open burning regulations are enforced to address concerns regarding air pollution, resident health issues and fire hazards in the community. The Ordinance Regulating Burning does allow exceptions for recreational fires and the limited use of open burning for agricultural properties and government agencies. Village residents may enjoy the use of recreational fires, provided the fires are appropriately contained, are located away from other structures, and are supervised by a responsible adult. Agricultural property owners may utilize open burning for property maintenance. Government agencies are permitted to conduct open burning in accordance with state and federal regulations. The Village of Mahomet encourages the use of landscape waste curbside collection programs for disposal of leaves, tree limbs and brush generated in the Village. The minimum fine for unlawful burning is $75.00. The ordinance will be strictly enforced by the Police Department.
RECREATIONAL FIRE AND OPEN BURNING REGULATIONS a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b),(h) and (i), it shall be unlawful to Burn any papers, Landscape Waste, organic refuse, garbage, construction materials or any other materials at any time in the Village. (b) The recreational Burning of Fuel for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes may be allowed where the fire is contained to a Recreational Fire Enclosure on property for which the owner of the property has consented to such fire. Any exceptions to recreational Burning including bonfires exceeding the limitations of Recreational Fire Enclosure, shall require a permit. A permit may be acquired through the following process: applicant submits a written request to the Village Administrator s Office at least three work days in advance of the event. The Village Administrator responds with a letter of approval or denial. This letter is forwarded to the Fire Chief of the Cornbelt Fire Protection District and the Police Department. This letter also must be kept by the applicant for presentation, if requested. (c) It shall be unlawful to Burn within twenty (20) feet of any tree, fence, deck, building or structure. A Recreational Fire Enclosure may be used on a deck or patio when it can be safely so used and is used in compliance with manufacturer s instruction. (d) It shall be unlawful to Burn on any public right-of-way, public street, road, alley, sidewalk, or other public property, except for designated areas set aside for such purpose by the Village of Mahomet. (e) It shall be unlawful to permit any fire to Smolder. (f) It shall be unlawful to set or maintain any fire without the supervision of a responsible adult at all times and without proper extinguishing materials available. (g) No fire shall contain any materials otherwise prohibited by the Illinois Environmental Protection Act of the Illinois Pollution Control Board Rules and Regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, wastes creating hazard or explosion, tires, rubber, petroleum-based materials, rubbish, garbage or materials containing asbestos. The Illinois Environmental Protection Act also authorizes the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to impose conditions on permits that it may issue such as Open Burning Permits for Fire Fighter Training/Fire Extinguisher Training; Prairie & Ecological Landscape Burns; Commercial/Trade Waste & Open Burning; and Disaster Debris and Open Burning. (h) Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent Burning by any governmental entity when officially permitted by an appropriate state or federal agency to do so. (i) Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent Burning of Landscape Waste on the premises upon which the Landscape Waste was generated, by any person maintaining a Farm as defined within the Village of Mahomet Zoning Ordinance and properties maintained as a forest preserve by the Champaign County Forest Preserve District.
DEFINITIONS BURN To set or maintain any fire or instance of combustion outdoors. FARM A tract of land of at least five (5.0) acres used for the growing and storage of agricultural crops and the raising of farm animals. FUEL Dry, seasoned wood logs, branches or charcoal briquettes, as well as starter fluids or materials designed and used solely for the purpose of starting a fire. LANDSCAPE WASTE Leaves, grass, plants, tree limbs, shrubbery cuttings and other materials accumulated as a result of the care of lawns, gardens, shrubbery, vines and trees. RECREATIONAL FIRE ENCLOSURE A pit on cleared earth enclosed on all sides by masonry, concrete, rock materials or metal not exceeding sixteen square feet or a metal, masonry or ceramic container designed for such purposes not exceeding sixteen square feet. Burn barrels of any sort are prohibited. RESPONSIBLE ADULT An individual 18 years or older who is not under the influence of drugs or alcohol or suffering from any other disability which would impair his or her ability to properly supervise a fire. SMOLDER To Burn without flame resulting in dense smoke.
Teach your children to respect fire. RECREATIONAL FIRE SAFETY Never use accelerants, such as gasoline or other fuels, for starting a recreational fire. Do not burn in high wind conditions. Keep recreational fires reasonably sized and under control. Have water or a fire extinguisher available in case fire spreads from the recreational fire pit. Never leave a fire unattended. Do not create a smoke or noise nuisance for your neighbors. When extinguishing a recreational fire, drown it thoroughly with water. Make sure all embers, coals and wood are wet. Stir coals to uncover any hot spots and add more water.