This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "City of
Ogdensburg Open Burning and Recreational Fires Ordinance."
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for enforcement procedures
in the City of Ogdensburg regarding open burning and recreational
fires.
The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this
chapter, have the meanings shown herein.
BONFIRE
An outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes.
OPEN BURNING
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. Open burning does not include
road flares, smudgepots and similar devices associated with safety
or occupational uses typically considered open flames or recreational
fires. For the purpose of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded
as enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures,
ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air
and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open.
RECREATIONAL FIRE
An outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where
the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor
fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area
of three feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and two feet (610 mm) or
less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth
or similar purposes.
A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled
or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance
with this section.
Where required by state or local law or regulations, open burning
shall only be permitted with prior approval from the state or local
air and water quality management authority, provided that all conditions
specified in the authorization are followed.
Open burning that will be offensive or objectionable because
of smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances
make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.
The location for open burning shall not be less than 50 feet
(15,240 mm) from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent
the fire from spreading to within 50 feet (15,240 mm) of any structure.
A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15,240 mm)
of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained
in a barbecue pit. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within
50 feet (15,240 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (7,620
mm) of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could
cause a fire to spread within 25 feet (7,620 mm) of a structure shall
be eliminated prior to ignition.
Open burning, bonfires or recreational fires shall be constantly
attended until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one portable
fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing
equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water
truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.