Fire pit rules in Champaign County, IL — also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances — cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Recreational fires are allowed across Champaign County in a small, contained pit burning only clean, dry firewood. Champaign and Urbana require clearance from buildings and property lines, and burning can be halted during high wind or drought.
Champaign County residents may enjoy a recreational fire in an approved fire pit or ring, burning only seasoned, untreated wood. Champaign and Urbana fire codes require the fire to sit a safe distance from structures, fences, and property lines and to stay attended with a hose or extinguisher close by. Burning garbage, leaves, or treated lumber is never allowed. Natural-gas and propane fire features are treated as appliances, not open burning. As home-rule cities, Champaign and Urbana can tighten these rules or suspend fires during dry, windy weather, and the county's harsh winters make sheltered fire pits popular well into the cold months.
Burning trash or leaving a fire unattended draws a fire-code or nuisance citation and cleanup costs, and can trigger an Illinois EPA enforcement action. A fire that spreads and causes damage can bring reckless-conduct or arson charges.
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See how Champaign County's fire pit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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