In response to the dialogue discussed on the Highland Park list serve I would like to clarify some questions and concerns about "open burning" and the use of manufactured fire pits, chiminea's and other wood burning and patio appliances used for recreational burning. In the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County you are required to have a permit for any type of open burning, including medium to large recreational fires or bonfires for events or gatherings. However, some approved burning devices are not considered "open burning" under the fire code and these would be manufactured fire pits, chiminea's and other wood burning and patio appliances used for recreational burning. These do not include a fire pit that you built in your yard with brick or concrete block in the dirt on the ground. In all cases you must follow the manufacture's instructions that come with the manufactured fire pit, chiminea, and other wood burning and patio appliance used for recreational burning. You are only permitted to burn CLEAN DRY FIRE WOOD. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO BURN GARBAGE, YARD DEBRIS (GRASS / LEAVES) OR CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL. If the open burning becomes offensive to a neighbor(s) because of the amount of smoke or odor of the smoke the burning is giving off then the burning MUST stop. In short, you can only burn clean dry fire wood in an "approved" manufactured fire pits, chiminea's and other wood burning and patio appliance used for recreational burning. I hope this clarifies some of your questions and concerns. Det. Michael B. Burns, CFI Pittsburgh Police Arson Squad / Bomb Squad / RED Team 4603 Stanton Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15201 412-782-7646 - Office michael.burns@city.pittsburgh.pa.us Begin forwarded message: From: "Dan J. Martin" <djmartin@cmu.edu> Date: November 27, 2011 21:04:21 EST To: Sam Burns <samburnsmck@gmail.com>, <neighborhood@highlandparkpa.com> Subject: Re: [Highland Park] Question about covered fire pit and wood burning I once spoke with someone at the city -- building codes department, maybe -- who told me that covered fire pits were allowed if they were located at least 15' from any structure. Not sure if that's legit, but it's what we heard! --dan -- REDISTRIBUTE ONLY WITH PERMISSION OF AUTHOR <http://lists.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>