0

Outdoor Burning

Please read the South Metro Fire Guidelines handout for more detailed descriptions of the guidelines listed below.

Recreational fires and portable outdoor fireplaces are the only permissible types of outdoor burning.

Recreational Fire: An outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the 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 recreational fire must be at least 25 feet from any structures, fences and other combustible materials. South Metro Fire will do an inspection and issue a permit (free of charge) for all Recreational Fires.

Portable Outdoor Fireplace: A portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay or other noncombustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design, or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney opening at the top. Portable outdoor fireplaces should be at least 15 feet from structures and combustible materials. No permit is required for a Portable Outdoor Fireplace.

No outdoor burning may occur:

  1. When there is a "Red Flag Warning" issued by the National Weather Service
  2. When the Fire Weather Outlook for the day is "Elevated, Critical, or Extreme": https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy1.html
  3. When there is an open burning restriction issued by a county sheriff (for unincorporated areas) or elected representatives (for incorporated areas). The Town of Foxfield follows the Arapahoe County Sheriff's open burning restrictions.
  4. During periods of sustained or gusty winds that make the activity unsafe.

Fire Department Notification: Both before and after utilizing recreational fire or a portable outdoor fireplace, please contact the South Metro Fire dispatch center at 720-258-8911 and notify them of your plans. This helps to avoid unnecessary emergency responses from neighbors who call regarding seeing smoke or flames.

All fires must be attended by an adult and have adequate means of extinguishing the fire at hand. Please read the handout below for a detailed description of acceptable means of dousing the fire.

Only firewood and other natural vegetation may be used as fuel, burning household goods or other trash is prohibited. Manufactured "firelogs" and charcoal lighter fluid may be used to assist in ignition. Gasoline and other flammable liquids are prohibited.