Press releases

Sun Current Guest Column

Recreational Fires

By Tom Jenson
Guest Columnist

It’s a summertime staple here in Minnesota, from the incandescent waltz of glimmering flames to the unabashed aroma of a smoky, wood-fire plume. It might rekindle fond memories of ghost stories at summer camp or roasting marshmallows lakeside on a starry evening. For many people, the blaze of a backyard recreational fire brings the serene sense of outdoor adventure and “oneness” with nature to the convenience of their own homes.

In recent years, backyard fires have become more common in suburban cities, where the confines are much tighter than you’d find in the “great outdoors.” As Edina’s Fire Marshal, I’d like to remind people that recreational fires are a privilege, not a right -- and with this privilege comes responsibilities that must be upheld in order for you, your friends, neighbors and children to safely enjoy a summer fire. As parents, it’s especially important to make sure that our kids are out of harm’s way when it comes to recreational fires.

You only need to look back a few months to fully understand the potential consequences of handling a fire irresponsibly. Earlier this year in our neighboring community of Bloomington, amidst gusting winds, one young man started a recreational fire within 10 feet of his house -- and within 10 minutes, hot ashes blew to his roof and started the structure on fire.

In April, a Woodbury home caught fire after an improperly extinguished recreational fire spread from the grass behind the house to the garage, destroying it along with the resident’s motorcycle parked inside.

In February, right here in Edina, one man thought it would be a good idea to dump gasoline onto an open fire. A few blisters reminiscent of a bad sunburn later, he was thankful that he walked away as unharmed as he did.

Thirteen-year-old Taylor Strand, however, was not as lucky.

I’m sure most of you have heard Taylor’s story, but for those who haven’t, the young Sauk Rapids girl also tried to reignite a backyard fire using gasoline this past April. When the gasoline and fumes ignited, the gas can she was holding exploded into a ball of fire, engulfing Strand. Strand and her friend were unsupervised at the time, so it took several minutes for the friend to wake her father to put out the flames. The incident left Strand hospitalized with burns over 80 percent of her body. Doctors say recovery will likely take at least a year, and even then, her life will never be the same.

Fire prevention and education are two of the Fire Department’s top priorities. Usually, many of the burn injuries, fatal fires or property damage that we see could have been prevented -- and I take it personally. I don’t want to see a burn fatality in our community. So, to have a fun and SAFE summer, please remember to adhere to the following guidelines when building a recreational fire:

As of May 16, the fire ban in Edina was lifted, meaning recreational fires are once again allowed upon acquiring a permit from the City. Permits may be obtained at Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St. or online at www.CityofEdina.com/Fire.
Before starting a recreational fire, call the Edina Fire Department Recreational Fire Hotline at 952-826-0398 to ensure that the fire danger index is low and no further bans are in place.
Fires must be on private property and contained within a fire ring or pit.
Any open, recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from all structures and the five-foot radius around the fire must be clear of combustibles.
Keep a fire extinguisher, hose or bucket of water near your fire at all times.
Oils, combustible and flammable liquids, rubber, plastics, chemically treated materials, construction materials, hazardous waste and rubbish/trash shall not be burned. Do not use flammable or combustible liquids to kindle or rekindle a fire.
Keep your fire no larger than three feet in diameter by two feet high.
Do not start a recreational fire if winds are over 15 mph.
Your fire must be attended at all times by at least one responsible person 18 years of age or older.
As a courtesy to your neighbors, please let them know when you intend to have a fire. Also for this reason, recreational fires are not allowed between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday or between midnight and 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Make sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving it unattended.

If we can set a good example for our children by following these simple guidelines, the summer recreational fire season can be a safe and enjoyable one, and incidents like I’ve mentioned above can be avoided entirely. In my opinion, the longer we can keep the fire trucks parked, the better.

Have a safe and happy summer!

Tom Jenson is Edina Fire Marshal. For more information on recreational fires and the Edina Fire Department, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire.