A.  Definitions within this section.  The following terms, phrases, and words and their derivations have the meanings given therein. 

1.      “Open fire:” means any fire involving any type of combustible material, whether for cooking, pleasure or any other purpose, located anywhere within the City of River Falls, on public or private property. 

2.      “Outdoor cooking apparatus” means a charcoal grill, camping stove or similar apparatus designed exclusively for cooking food.

3.       “Recreational fire” means any fire such as a campfire, fire pit or portable manufactured fire container for the purpose of a recreational and personal enjoyment.

4.      “Waste and refuse” means all rubbish, garbage and residual matter of any kind, including grass trimmings, and leaves.

5.      “Pyrotechnics” means fireworks or any incendiary/explosive device used for public display purposes whether indoors or outdoors.

B.  Except as permitted in this Section, no person shall burn or cause to be burned in any open fire any waste and refuse or hazardous materials upon any street, court, alley or private property within the City of River Falls.

C.  The use of portable drums, barrels or any containers used to burn leaves, yard wastes, rubbish, garbage, other household wastes or hazardous materials upon any premises within the City of River Falls is prohibited.

D.  The use of commercial or residential incinerators that are approved under American standards Z-21.6 and Wis. Adm. Code Section NR 154.05 are allowed.

E.  No person shall burn, or cause or permit the burning of waste and refuse in any container which was designed for the sole purpose of burning any type of fuel, such as natural gas, fuel oil, propane, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel or wood used for heating purposes.

F.  Fires set by the River Falls Fire Department for practice and instruction of fire fighters are allowed, along with burning of police records.

G.  Outdoor cooking apparatus and open fires used for cooking are allowed.  These are, however, limited to charcoal and gas grills, freestanding fireplaces (clay or metal) or fire pits.  Use of outdoor cooking apparatuses on multi-residential dwelling decks is prohibited.

H.  Recreational fires are allowed only under the following circumstances:

1.  Only clean and clear (unpainted and unfinished) wood, split firewood, tree limbs or charcoal may be burned.  No rubbish, yard waste, garbage, household wastes or hazardous materials may be burned.

2.  No recreational fire shall be in an area larger than three feet in diameter,
     (3’ x 3’).

3.  Each fire must be attended by at least one-person eighteen-years-old or older when lighting the fire and at all times until the fire is completely extinguished.

4.  A fire extinguisher or water hose shall be available nearby at all times.

5.  Each fire shall be a minimum of ten feet from any structure and/or combustible material.

6.  No accelerants such as gasoline, kerosene or any other accelerant may be used, with the exception of charcoal lighter fluid.

7.  When burning, all burning material must be completely contained within the freestanding fireplace (metal or clay) or fire pit and shall not extend beyond the confines of such container and flame height shall not exceed 4 feet from base of fire.

8.  No fire shall cause smoke that has the tendency of creating a public nuisance or a traffic hazard due to decreased or diminished visibility.

9.  The open fire and embers must be completely extinguished before the open fire is vacated.

10.  If a fire pit is used, the construction and use of the fire pit shall, in addition to the above requirements, comply with the following requirements:

a.  The diameter of the pit shall not exceed three feet.

b.  The depth of the pit shall be one to two feet deep and covered when not in use.

c.  The rim of the pit shall be lined with rock, concrete,

brick or steal, that is 12” wide all around the perimeter.

11.  Recreational fires shall only be used outdoors at ground level. 

I.  The Fire Chief is granted the authority to issue burning permits for no more than a forty-eight (48) hour period at a fee to be set by the Common, from time to time. Council.  Such a permit shall allow the burning of waste construction materials, including but not limited to wood and paper products and trees and vegetation resulting from land clearing.  The Fire Chief shall not issue a permit to burn any material that could result in a health hazard.  Each permit shall indicate when material can be burned, where it will be burned, where it can be burned, under what wind and other climatic conditions and shall include such other or further restrictions that the Fire Chief may require to protect the health and safety of the general public.

Section Two:  That §8.20.050 be adopted to read: 

The use of pyrotechnics shall be prohibited in the City of River Falls except follows: 

A.  Fireworks in conjunction with a community event for which the required permits has been procured, limited to sites in Hoffman Park or such other locations as may be approved by the Fire Chief.

B.  The Mayor, or his/her designated representative, has the authority to issue pyrotechnic permits.   A City permit is required for use/discharge of any pyrotechnics within the City.