(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- The city of Cedar Rapids has lifted a burn ban put in place more than six months ago, after last summer's devastating derecho. The burn ban went in place to prevent fires spreading to brush piles along city streets.
The August 10th derecho damaged hundreds of thousands of trees in Cedar Rapids. Efforts continue to raise millions of dollars to replant trees throughout the region impacted by the storm.
The Cedar Rapids Fire Department is reminding citizens that only recreational fires are allowed in the city limits. All other types of burns require a permit. Other reminders are as follows:
Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure like a house, garage, or shed or near combustible materials. The distance from a structure can be reduced to a 15 feet minimum if the unit has complete protection with a lid and screen. The total fuel area needs to be 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less for fuel height. An attendant needs to stay with the fire constantly and continue to supervise until the fire is extinguished. The attendant should have buckets, shovels, garden hoses, or a fire extinguisher readily available for use.
Contaminated or treated wood should never be burned. These materials contain derivatives of arsenic or cyanide and produce poisonous gases.
The following items are not allowed to be burned within the City limits: brush piles, contaminated wood, dead animals, garbage, grass, leaves, rubber products, paint, plastic, tar, tires, and used oil.
Children should not be allowed to play around a fire. Use common sense and respect your neighbors by not allowing smoke to blow towards their home or laundry, for example. Recreational fires are not safe when winds exceed 15 mph. Yard waste should be properly disposed of in a Yardy cart, for example.
If the Fire Department determines that a hazardous condition exists, firefighters can require extinguishment. If a burn ban is issued throughout Linn County, recreational fires would be prohibited.
For more information about recreational fires, contact the Cedar Rapids Fire Marshal’s Office at (319) 286-5166.
(Photo Getty Images)