Millcreek, PA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Article V, Open Burning, was adopted 2-27-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-2. Section 40-33 sets the baseline: no one may ignite or maintain any fire the article covers unless it is conducted and approved under §§ 40-33A through 40-40. Any permitted fire must be constantly attended and monitored by a competent person at least 16 years of age, who must have an appropriate extinguishing agent immediately available in sufficient quantity to put the fire out completely, such as water, sand or fire extinguishers. Under § 40-33C the Fire Code Official, when deemed necessary, can impose temporary bans on all outdoor burning or fires, and the ban overrides burning the article otherwise authorizes. Section 40-33D exempts prescribed burning to reduce the impact of wildland fire when authorized by the Fire Code Official.

Section 40-34 lists what is always unlawful: burning any materials on a public street or road, burning prohibited materials on any land including private roadways and drives and public utility rights-of-way, and burning prohibited materials in recreational fires, portable outdoor fireplaces, cooking fires or bonfires. PROHIBITED MATERIALS means any garbage, food waste, refuse or other material classified as solid waste, municipal waste, recyclable materials or leaf waste. Section 40-35 allows burning of clean, dry and seasoned wood without a permit for recreational fires, portable outdoor fireplaces and cooking fires. Anything else the article covers, and is not prohibited, needs a permit before ignition under § 40-37, with an application fee set by Board of Supervisors resolution and revocation possible at any time for good cause. Bonfires by schools and community groups need a permit from the Fire Code Official and must stay 50 feet from property lines and 75 feet from any building or structure. Under § 40-39 the fire code official can order any burning extinguished if it creates a hazard or lacks a required permit.