The Use of Fire Pits, Fire Bowls, Chimineas and other similar appliances has become popular in our
Community. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service would like to share with you the criteria for their use
Photo via Lowes.com
You must have permission of the land owner.
There must be one person at least 18 years of age to assume responsibility
for the use of these appliances.
A permit from the Fire Marshal or the Department of Environmental
Protection is not required.
Use in accordance to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Once you purchase this appliance, keep these
guidelines in a safe place for future reference.
Use of Fire Pits, Fire Bowls, Chimineas and similar portable devices
must be at least 20 feet away from any building or structure.
Keep a clear area (clear meaning free of anything that can burn) of at least 3
feet in diameter around the appliance. Please remember that mulch can burn so keep your appliance at
least 3 feet away from mulch as well.
Do not use or store Fire Pits, Fire Bowls, Chimineas or
similar devices on a balcony or deck.
Burn only aged dried wood. The burning of any type of
construction material or trash is prohibited.
Do not use any type of flammable or combustible liquid at any time.
Have a garden hose connected to a constant water source available
and close by.
Smoke is not allowed to cross property lines. Be mindful of the
wind speed prior to starting this type of fire.
Do not use on Code Orange or Code Red Air Quality days.
Dispose of all ashes in a safe manner. After 24 hours has passed, all left over hot ashes must be
thoroughly dampened, cooled and stored in a metal can that is used solely for ash storage. Ashes that
are 2 or 3 days old may appear to be safe, but can still retain enough heat to cause an unwanted fire. Do
not discard hot ashes in a compost pile, paper bag cardboard box or anything that is combustible. Also,
be careful in handling partially burned wood. The wood may still be smoldering and cause a serious
burn.
Please keep in mind, that if the Fire Department is contacted and determines
your situation to be a fire hazard, the Fire Department can require you to
extinguish your fire.
If additional questions arise, please call Code Compliance
at 240-777-2457.
On Tuesday, March 8, MCFRS experienced two significant brush fires several hours apart in the Germantown and Beallsville areas of the county.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., units were dispatched to the 12800 block of Clopper Road in Germantown for a reported brush fire. Units arrived on scene to find an active brush fire which was started by an overhead power line on fire dropping down onto the grass.
A total of three engines and two brush trucks worked for approximately one and a half hours to contain and extinguish approximately three acres of grass fire.
There were no structures in any danger. No injuries were reported and there was no financial loss as a result of this fire. Photos below:
Shortly after 5 p.m. units were dispatched to the 21300 block of Big Woods Road in the Beallsville area of the County for a reported brush fire.
Arriving units found an approximately five to seven acre wild fire burning in the woods and field with one home in close proximity to the fire.
Units from Upper Montgomery Fire Station #14, Clarksburg Fire Station #35 and Hyattstown Fire Station #9 took roughly two hours to contain and extinguish the fire that involved brush and trees. Extensive overhaul work to extinguish “hot spots” was involved as well.
The fire apparently started when a 'controlled' burn got out of control and ignited surround trees and brush. No financial loss reported as the home in close proximity to the fire was saved and no damage was suffered.
The Use of Fire Pits, Fire Bowls, Chimineas and other similar appliances has become popular in our
Community. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service would like to share with you the criteria for their
Photo via Lowes.com
use.
You must have permission of the land owner.
There must be one person at least 18 years of age to assume responsibility
for the use of these appliances.
A permit from the Fire Marshal or the Department of Environmental
Protection is not required.
Use in accordance to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Once you purchase this appliance, keep these
guidelines in a safe place for future reference.
Use of Fire Pits, Fire Bowls, Chimineas and similar portable devices
must be at least 20 feet away from any building or structure.
Keep a clear area (clear meaning free of anything that can burn) of at least 3
feet in diameter around the appliance. Please remember that mulch can burn so keep your appliance at
least 3 feet away from mulch as well.
Do not use or store Fire Pits, Fire Bowls, Chimineas or
similar devices on a balcony or deck.
Burn only aged dried wood. The burning of any type of
construction material or trash is prohibited.
Do not use any type of flammable or combustible liquid at any time.
Have a garden hose connected to a constant water source available
and close by.
Smoke is not allowed to cross property lines. Be mindful of the
wind speed prior to starting this type of fire.
Do not use on Code Orange or Code Red Air Quality days.
Dispose of all ashes in a safe manner. After 24 hours has passed, all left over hot ashes must be
thoroughly dampened, cooled and stored in a metal can that is used solely for ash storage. Ashes that
are 2 or 3 days old may appear to be safe, but can still retain enough heat to cause an unwanted fire. Do
not discard hot ashes in a compost pile, paper bag cardboard box or anything that is combustible. Also,
be careful in handling partially burned wood. The wood may still be smoldering and cause a serious
burn.
Please keep in mind, that if the Fire Department is contacted and determines
your situation to be a fire hazard, the Fire Department can require you to
extinguish your fire.
If additional questions arise, please call the Office of Fire Code Compliance
at 240-777-2457.
This morning MCFRS’ own, Battalion Chief Dee Howard-Richards, appeared
on NBC’s Today Show promoting a wide variety of summer safety tips. The tips fit in nicely with our “Summer of
Safety” outreach initiative all of our fire stations are currently engaged
in. Learn more here: Fire
Chief Steve Lohr Kicks Off a “Summer of Safety”
In case you missed it this morning, we have taken the liberty of
posting Chief Howard-Richards appearance below.
