Truth or Myth? The Rules for Recreational Fires in McCandless

Spring has arrived (finally,) and with it, recreational fire season. Recreational fires are allowed within the Town of McCandless  as long as you know and follow the rules. 

"Your fire must be treated with the utmost respect," said McCandless Fire Marshal Dan Stack in the April edition of the McCandless Town Crier. "Things can go wrong in the blink of an eye if you don't adhere to the posted safety guidelines."

Open burning and recreational fires shall be allowed within the Town of McCandless only with a permit issued through the office of the Fire Marshal.

Myth: "I can complete a fire application from the Fire Marshal's office less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled burn date."
False: An application must be submitted a minimum of 24 hours prior to the scheduled burn date, along with a $25 permit fee.

Myth: "I don't have to notify anyone about the open burning after I turn in my application."
False: The fire department must be notified before and after the burn event. Contact the Allegheny County Emergency Services 9-1-1 dispatch center non-emergency number (412) 369-2200.

Myth: “A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher or other approved on-site fire extinguishing agents must be present."
True: Other approved agents include dirt, sand, water barrel or garden hose.

Myth: "The approved permit must be in the possession of the applicant or authorized representative at the site of the burn."
True: The permit should be made available for inspection by an fire protection or law enforcement officer.

Myth: "If objectionable weather conditions occur, any enforcement officer can order the fire to be extinguished."
True: Atmospheric conditions or local conditions (dry weather) that make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.

Myth: "I can use plastic to fuel my fire."
False: Only dry, clean, untreated wood products or other clean burning fuels are to be used for recreation or cookout fires. Only smokeless fuels, if any, may be used to start fires.

Myth: "It does not matter how big my fire is, where I set it, or how long it burns if I obtained a permit."
False: All fires are to be no larger that 3 ft. by 3 ft. 3 ft. in size. The fire must also be a minimum of 30 ft. from any structure, house, shed, barn, fence, pedestrian or recreation area, roadway or utilities and must not last longer than eight hours.

Open burning is allowed without a permit, under the following conditions:

If the fire is for the warmth of work crews:

• The burning must be conducted in a non-combustible container no larger than a 55-gallon drum.
• The material being burned is completely contained by the container.
• Only one container is used for each work site.
• The outside temperature is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recreation:

• If an approved, non-combustible, contained exterior fireplace is used. All regulations state prior, must be adhered to.

Violators of any of these provisions face conviction of a summary offense and fines of up to $1,000.

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