If you experience fire or water damage in your Minnesota home or commercial building, you’ll likely meet Dan Feine, Restorations by Highmark’s Emergency Response Director. Dan is also a Captain at the Eden Prairie Fire Department. This month, we asked him five important questions about outdoor fire pits.
How can I build an outdoor fire pit that is safe?
When building outdoor fire pits, there are three things to consider:
- The fire pit needs to be no closer than 25 feet from combustible materials such as a house, deck, fence, shed, trees, etc.
- The actual size of a fire pit can vary depending on local ordinances, but for safety reasons, a fire pit no larger than three feet in diameter should suffice.
- Outdoor fire pits should be made of non-combustible materials, such as brick, stone, or metal, or dug into the ground. Portable stoves are also a great option and should be placed 25 feet from combustible materials.
What do I need to know before starting a fire?
It’s important to check local ordinances before starting a recreational fire. During certain weather conditions, burn bans will be in place. Clear the area of any flammable materials such as leaves or dry grass. Also, check the wind speed. Starting a fire during winds over 15 mph can carry the embers to areas of combustion beyond 25 feet of the fire.
To ensure the fire doesn’t get out of control or harmful, always have a water source nearby, such as a bucket of water, a hose, or a fire extinguisher. Ensure at least one adult is around the fire at all times and keep children at a safe distance from the flames. Never leave a fire unattended.
Do I need a burn permit?
Some areas will require a burn permit for recreational fires. Check your state’s Department of Natural Resources website or your local fire department for more information.
What’s the best way to light an outdoor fire pit?
Gather all your materials before lighting the fire. You should have clean, dry, hard wood, both larger logs and sticks. For health reasons, do not burn painted or treated wood. To start the small sticks on fire before adding the logs, use newspaper or other similar quick-burning paper products, or purchase a fire-starter log. Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to ignite the fire and never burn highly flammable materials, hazardous chemicals, or pressurized containers.
What should I do if my fire pit gets out of control?
Call 911 immediately if nearby materials such as trees, fences, decks, or other combustible materials catch fire. Move friends and family to safety and notify your neighbors. Douse the flames, if you can safely, with either water or a fire extinguisher. Attempt to remove any nearby materials that could catch fire to prevent the flames from spreading.
Contact Restorations by Highmark
If you experience a loss as a result of a bonfire accident, contact Restorations by Highmark immediately for fire and smoke damage restoration services. We are fire restoration specialists in Minnesota and can assist with securing your home, mitigating the water, smoke and fire damage, and restoring your home to its pre-incident condition.
24/7 Emergency Mitigation Service
Whether it’s a commercial or home fire, call our team right away. We’ll act quickly to mitigate the damage.
