Idaho Falls, ID:  Outdoor fires are a common response for the Idaho Falls Fire Department during the spring and summer months. While recreational fires are permitted inside City of Idaho Falls limits when the below conditions and requirements are met, a permit is required for bonfires and irrigation/weed control. It is illegal to burn leaves, trash or construction debris and yard cleanup inside city limits. Burn barrels are strictly prohibited. There are no permits issued for this type of burning. All Idaho Falls Fire Department officials are authorized to order individuals to extinguish any open burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or an objectionable situation.

“When we encounter burning of trash and other debris inside city limits, we extinguish the fire and educate the property owner,” explains Fire Marshal Scott Grimmett. “If a citizen is doing everything in accordance with the fire code but their fire is producing a significant smoke hazard from wet or unclean burning wood, the fire may be extinguished at the discretion of the responding fire official,” adds Grimmett.

RECREATIONAL FIRES

While it is legal to have open outdoor recreational fires such as fire pits inside city limits when weather conditions and air quality permits doing so, the fires must meet the following specific requirements:

• Outdoor recreational fires must not have a total fuel area greater than 3 feet in diameter and no more than 2 feet in height. They can only be used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.   
• Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material.  Conditions that could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.  Recreational fires in approved portable outdoor fireplaces shall not be conducted within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material. 
• Fires shall be constantly attended to until the fire is extinguished.  A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum of 4-A rating or other method of extinguishing the fire shall be available for immediate utilization.

BONFIRES / IRRIGATION WEED CONTROL

Bonfires and irrigation/weed control fires are only permissible with a Fire Code Operational Permit issued by Idaho Falls Fire Prevention at (208) 612-8497 or fireprev@idahofallsidaho.gov. Bonfires are defined as a fire that is greater than 3 feet in diameter and more than 2 feet in height.  Irrigation and weed control fires are defined as limited fires to maintain irrigation ditches or control weeds. These fires are sometimes permitted where other means are impractical and fire poses little to no nuisance.

ILLEGAL FIRES

Illegal fires inside city limits include but are not limited to lawn clippings, tar or tar paper, telephone poles, hazardous materials, railroad ties, rubber materials, construction waste, oil, grease, dead animals, demolition/salvage, household waste, asphalt materials, debris, tires, preservative-treated wood, junk motor vehicles, plastics, pathogenic waste, commercial waste, paints, insulated wire, industrial waste, petroleum products. 

For proper disposal of these items and additional information about the city's Clean & Green Citywide Cleanup, click HERE. 

For additional information or questions, contact Fire Prevention at (208) 612-8497. Additional fire prevention information is also available on the Idaho Falls Fire Department website. Follow the department on Facebook and Twitter!

Media Contact: Kerry Hammon, Public Information Officer, Idaho Falls Fire & Public Works Departments, (208) 612-8122.