Recreational backyard fires (chimineas, portable fire bowls, cooking fires) in unincorporated Cook County must comply with fire safety codes and IEPA air quality regulations. Open burning of waste is prohibited. Cooking fires in approved containers are generally allowed.
Recreational backyard fires in unincorporated Cook County, including chimineas, portable fire bowls, and cooking fires, are subject to the adopted International Fire Code and Cook County Chapter 30 environmental provisions. Open burning of landscape waste is prohibited under IEPA regulations (35 IAC Part 237). However, cooking fires using charcoal or gas grills, and recreational fires using clean dry wood in approved containers, are generally permitted. Fire containers must maintain safe distances from structures per fire code. Local fire protection districts may have additional requirements and respond to fire-related complaints. During air quality alerts or burn bans, recreational fires may be restricted. Always have a means of extinguishing the fire readily available.
Open burning of waste: IEPA enforcement. Fire too close to structure: fire code violation. Fire during burn ban: citation from fire district.
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