Erie permits recreational backyard fires of seasoned firewood between 5 pm and 11 pm Monday-Thursday and 5 pm to midnight on weekends and federal holidays, kept 25 feet from any structure. Bonfires require a permit from the fire code official and must stay 50 feet from structures unless contained in a barbecue pit.
Recreational fires in the City of Erie are regulated under International Fire Code Section 307. Per IFC 307.4.2, recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material, with spread conditions eliminated before ignition. The City of Erie Fire Department permits recreational burning between the hours of 5 pm to 11 pm on weekdays (Monday through Thursday) and 5 pm until 12 am on weekends (Friday through Sunday) and federally observed holidays. Only dry, seasoned firewood in an approved container (metal or masonry fire ring, portable outdoor fireplace, or chiminea) may be used. Larger bonfires are governed by IFC 307.2 and 307.4.1: a permit must be obtained from the fire code official under Section 105.6 before kindling a bonfire, and a bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet of a structure or combustible material unless contained in a barbecue pit. All open burning, bonfires, and recreational fires must be constantly attended until extinguished with on-site fire-suppression equipment available (IFC 307.5).
Recreational fires outside permitted hours or setbacks, and unpermitted bonfires, allow the fire code official to order extinguishment (IFC 307.3). Burning prohibited materials in a backyard fire is separately citable under QOL-31's escalating Quality of Life fines (up to $100).
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