Melrose Relaxes Fire Pit Enforcement As Weather Warms Up

MELROSE, MA — Fire officials are relaxing the enforcement of guidelines around firepits, allowing for more people to use them as a form of outdoor entertainment as the weather warms amid a now yearlong pandemic.

Fire Chief Ed Collina on Monday night presented revised best practices that would allow people to safely gather around a firepit, changing how things have been done here in recent years.

"We believe that if people are educated and follow this practice they should be able to enjoy, especially during this ongoing pandemic and as we get closer to the warmer months, the ability to be outside and socialize and use the fire pit as entertainment," Collina told city councilors Monday night.

Fire officials cleared up some confusion about fire pits in Melrose, where many people have thought there was an ordinance restricting them. That is not the case, as the state fire marshal says fire pits are not regulated. "They kind of fall into a gray area so it's hard to regulate these types of these things," Captain Jamie Gibson said.

Allowing fire pits are instead at the discretion of the fire department, which may shut them down if they are deemed hazardous or a nuisance. The department can issue non-criminal citations, but there is no specific law to cite, Collina said.

Relaxing the guidelines changes how fire officials have traditionally approached fire pits in Melrose. Under the previous fire chief, recreational burning was prohibited, largely because of how close together homes are.

Collina said the department typically responds to 15-20 calls a year for unauthorized burning, but last year that number spiked to 47. Only one call had come in for 2021. The only cost for that kind of response is engine fuel.

Most calls are because people are annoyed or concerned, Collina said.

The guidelines, which also apply to chimineas and outdoor fire places, include keeping the fire "small and manageable," no greater than 3 feet in diameter. You can see the complete guidelines below.

People cannot use incinerators or burn things like leaves or trash. Fire pits cannot be on any combustible surface.

Some of the guidelines drew questions from councilors. Councilor Chris Cinella questioned how realistic it is to keep fires 20 feet away from homes in a city like Melrose, something Collina acknowledged isn't possible for everyone.

Councilor Robb Stewart was concerned about the guideline saying the fire pits must be attended by a "competent person," arguing many of such occasions include people drinking alcohol.

Stewart added his objection to the record and voted against the procedural motion of placing the informational item on file.

"I don't think this is the right way to go about doing this," he said.

Fire Pit Guidelines

Fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fire places for recreational use have become popular over the past few years. However, smoke emissions from these pits can cause potential or even actual health or nuisance problems for abutters and neighbors.

The Melrose Fire Department will allow the use of fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fire places provided the following conditions are met:

 The fire must be small and manageable, no greater the three (3) feet in diameter. By definition, a fire greater than 3 feet is no longer considered a cooking or recreational fire.
 All fires must be constantly attended by a competent person until extinguished.
 A hose connected to a water supply or an extinguisher capable of extinguishing the fire must be readily available for use.
 The fire pit, chimineas, or fireplace shall be a non-combustible surface at grade level and not under any type of overhang, roof, or tree limb
 Fires shall not be located within 20 feet of a structure or combustible material. Any condition that could cause fire to spread within this area shall be removed.
 The fire and/or smoke cannot pose a hazard to any Property.
 The smoke from any device cannot create a nuisance or health hazard to the neighborhood.
 Do not burn wet or unseasoned wood. Only ordinary dry clean firewood is to be burned
 Fire pits and recreational fires ARE NOT INCINERATORS; No construction debris, painted or stained wood, leaves, household trash, hazardous waste, or chemicals may be burned at any time.
 Be Safe!! Never use flammable fluids to start your fire.

If a complaint or concern is issued, the responding fire department personnel will determine the hazard or nuisance the public and take the appropriate action.

Members of the Melrose Fire Department have the authority to remedy any situation that in his/her opinion is likely to cause a fire or creates a nuisance.

With that understanding, the use of these devices is taken on an individual basis.

The Fire Department will require that a recreational fire be immediately extinguished and discontinued if it is determined that the fire constitutes a hazardous condition, health issue or nuisance.

Questions? Phone: 781-979-4405 Email: fireprevention@cityofmelrose.org

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.