Outdoor Fires
The Town of Spindale follows the most recently adopted North
Carolina Fire Prevention Code and collaborates with the Forest Service in the
pursuit of fire prevention. Recreational fires, portable outdoor
fireplaces/fire pits, stationary outdoor fireplaces and stationary outdoor fire
pits are regulated by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code (Section 307) and DO NOT
require an open-burning operational permit. Regardless of the necessity of a permit, fire
safety is still the responsibility of anyone setting a fire.
Recreational Fires
Recreational
fires are defined by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code as “fires three
feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height for pleasure,
religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.” Recreational fires
are NOT considered open burning and do not require an open burning operational
permit.
- Recreational
fires shall be at least 25 feet from a structure or combustible material.
- Conditions
which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be
eliminated prior to ignition.
- Shall
not be used to burn rubbish, yard waste, or burn material contained in an
incinerator.
- Outdoor
fireplaces, barbecue grills, barbecue pits, or bonfires are not considered
recreational fires
Portable Outdoor Fireplaces/Fire
Pits
Portable outdoor fireplaces/fire pits are
defined by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code as “a portable, outdoor,
solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay
or other noncombustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in
design or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or
chimney opening in the top”. Portable outdoor fireplaces are NOT considered
open burning and do not require an open burning operational permit.
- Portable
outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Exception: Portable outdoor fireplaces used at one- and two-family
dwellings.
- Portable
outdoor fireplaces shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or
combustible material.
Exception: Portable outdoor fireplaces used at one- and two-family
dwellings.
- Shall
not be used to burn rubbish or yard waste.
Open Burning
Open burning in
the Town of Spindale is regulated by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code and
is prohibited unless an open-burning operational permit is issued at Spindale
Town Hall.
- The
North Carolina Fire Prevention Code defines open burning as the burning of
materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the
ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed
chamber.
- For
the purpose of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed
when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks,
flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the
escape of exhaust gas are open.
Bonfires
Bonfires are
defined by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code as an outdoor fire utilized
for ceremonial purposes. These are typically large fires in conjunction with a
planned event such as a school prep rally or holiday event.
- Bonfires
ARE considered open burning and do require an open burning operational
permit.
- A
bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet of a structure or
combustible material and conditions, which could cause the fire to spread
within 50 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
- Shall
not be used to burn rubbish or yard waste.
Land Clearing
- Outdoor
burning for the purpose of land clearing IS considered open burning and
DOES require an open burning operational permit.
- Open
burning for land clearing requires 1,000-feet separation to any dwelling
or structure not on the property.
The permit fee
for land clearing greater than 100 square feet is $100.
Burn Permits
Spindale residents may apply for Town burning permits
Mon-Fri: 9:00am-4:00pm at Town Hall
Small brush limb & natural vegetation permits - Free
Land Clearing permits greater than a 10'X10' pile - $50
No burning permitted on Sundays or Holidays.
1. Permits do not release a property owner from liability.
2. The permit process is designed to acknowledge that the Fire & Police are aware of the location of your controlled burn.
3. If your fire poses a threat to adjacent property, or becomes a nuisance due to smoke drift or wind direction, the fire department may have
you extinguish a permitted fire until these conditions improve.
4. It is unlawful to open burn without a permit or on non permitted days within the Spindale Town limits.
In the event your fire becomes dangerous, dial 911!
For more information, please visit Section 307 of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code and Chapter 94 of the Spindale Town Code of Ordinances.
Residents that live in the Spindale Fire district but do not live in the town limits may use a county permit.
Fire Prevention | Fire Training Schedule | Fire Links Page | Spindale Fire Department
