Recreational Fires: What Are the Rules in Ross?

Spring has arrived (finally,) and with it, recreational fire season. Recreational fires are allowed within Ross Township, as long as you know and follow the rules as stated in the township ordinances.

Recreation/Cooking Fire

• Allowed as long as the fire is contained in a fireplace, brazier, pit, fire ring or other similar contained or enclosed structure no larger than three-feet in diameter.
• Recreation fires must be 50 feet from a building, property line or street right-of-way line. Cooking fires may be less than 50 feet from a building, provided that reasonable safeguards are maintained.
• Recreation/cooking fires are not allowed to burn or smolder between the hours of midnight at 6 a.m.
• No fire of any kind shall be permitted which results in smoke, fire, ash, cinders, or partly burned materials being carried onto or deposited on adjoining properties or at buildings on adjoining properties.
• Any uncontained recreational fire, such as a bonfire, requires a permit obtained in advance from the Ross Township Building code official, with approval from the Ross Township Fire Marshal or his designee.
• No fire shall be allowed to burn unattended without a responsible adult being present at all times and without readily available fire extinguishing equipment

What you cannot burn:

• Construction debris
• Plastics
• By-products of manufacturing processing operations
• Tires
• Waste from commercial operations
• Any substances which are likely to emit noxious odors or dense smoke

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

Ross Fire Marshal John Reubi adds that anyone burning a recreational fire should always be considerate of their neighbors.

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