Iron County, UT Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)

Section 8.04.102 lists the activities exempt from Iron County's open and closed fire season permit rules in Sections 8.04.100 and 8.04.101, and subsection C is the county's recreational fire pit standard. A campfire or fire used solely for recreational purposes is exempt from the permit requirement only if it meets seven conditions: the fire must be under the control of a responsible person and contained in a pit dug eighteen inches deep into mineral soil free of roots and organic material, or inside a solid noncombustible ring at least eighteen inches high, either of which must contain the fuel and coals while shielding ashes from wind; the operator must maintain that eighteen-inch depth by removing built-up ash and confirm disposed material is fully extinguished; the fire must sit at least fifteen feet, vertically or horizontally, from combustible vegetation or structures, though fire-resistant landscaping material is excluded from that distance rule; a standard shovel must be dedicated and immediately available on site for suppression; five gallons of water or a five-pound A rated or better fire extinguisher must also be immediately available; the fire must be completely extinguished and cold to the touch whenever unattended; and only clean, dry wood or charcoal may be burned.

Subsection B separately exempts devices built for cooking food, such as outdoor grills and fireplaces, from the permit rule entirely. A recreational fire that fails any of the seven conditions loses the exemption and is treated as unpermitted burning under Sections 8.04.100 or 8.04.101.