It’s fire pit season, but Great Falls Fire Rescue and the Great Falls Police Department are asking residents to keep the rules and safety in mind this summer.
The city’s public safety departments ask the public to follow these guidelines and rules:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Fire shall be attended at all times.
- Must have a extinguishing source within 10 feet.
- Must be a commercial type “backyard” or “outdoor” fireplace with a spark arrestor (screen that covers the entire fire pit) in place.
- Fire places shall not be located within 15 feet of combustible walls, roofs or other combustible material, buildings openings or property lines.
- Only burn firewood or charcoal — no burning of rubbish, dimensional lumber (2×4’s), yard debris or vegetation.
- The use may be subject to immediate discontinuance if it creates a nuisance which is defined as anything which is injurious to health, or is indecent or offensive to the senses, or is an obstruction to the free use of another’s property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property of another.
- Notify your insurance of your intent to use a “backyard” or “outdoor” fireplaces.
- No homemade fire places are allowed.
“Those who choose to enjoy an outdoor fire pit are reminded to think about their neighbors and to follow the rules. Fire pits are allowed so family and friends can spend time together making memories or even to cook a s’more,” Fire Marshal Dirk Johnson said in a release.
If your neighbors fire pit is causing a nuisance, please first try to talk to your neighbor about why it is bothersome. If there is no resolve, call the non-emergency dispatch line at 406-727-7688.
