The Pierre City Commission has taken the first step toward allowing more people in town to enjoy a fire pit or outdoor fireplace on their property– legally.
Last year, the commission approved new sections to city’s fire ordinance that regulate the size and location of outdoor fire places and fire pits.
Fire chief Ian Paul asked for the 10 foot distance to be changed to a recommendation rather than a requirement.
He says only wood can be burned in the outdoor fire pits.
Paul says other parts of the ordinance remain the same.
Another section of Pierre’s City Fire Ordinance says if a fire is deemed offensive or objectionable or is determined to not be in compliance with regulations, residents will be required to extinguish it.
The commission is expected to give final approval to the fire ordinance changes at next week’s meeting. The change would go into effect in mid-May (20 days from publication, which is scheduled for April 26).
These regulations do not apply to gas fire places and gas fire pits because they pose less risk than a wood burning fire because they are less likely to rekindle or throw embers.