MASON CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
350 5TH ST SW | MASON CITY, IA | 641.421.3640
Recreational fires are
allowed in the City of Mason City from noon to midnight. Recreational fires must
always be attended. Citizens must have a
fire extinguishment source at hand (water hose, fire extinguisher, shovel,
sand, etc.). Only seasoned and untreated fire wood can be burned for
recreational fires (no construction waste, yard waste or trash). In the event of a call complaining of the
smoke from a recreational fire, a fire officer will be sent out to
investigate. It is within the fire
officer's sole discretion on whether smoke from a recreational fire is a nuisance. If the officer believes it to be a nuisance,
the fire will be extinguished by the Fire Department.
Rules for recreational fires within the City of Mason City are from the adopted fire code (International Fire Code) and local amendments.
Recreational fires must always be attended. Citizens must have a fire extinguishment source at hand (water hose, fire extinguisher, shovel, sand, etc.) Only seasoned and untreated fire wood can be burned for recreational fires (no construction waste, yard waste or trash). In the event of a call complaining of the smoke from a recreational fire, a fire officer will be sent out to investigate. It is within the fire officer's sole discretion on whether smoke from a recreational fire is a nuisance. If the officer believes it to be a nuisance, the fire will be extinguished by the Fire Department.
Open fires for cooking, heating, camping, and recreation using liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, charcoal or clean untreated wood in excess of one and five-eighths inches (1 5/8") minimum dimension (no building materials) as fuel are permitted, provided that they comply with the adopted fire code.
Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Conditions that could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. Recreational fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire extinguishing equipment (such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck) shall be available for immediate utilization.
No recreational fires, other than those for the purpose of cooking, shall be permitted after twelve o'clock (12:00) midnight or before twelve o'clock (12:00) noon.
Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. Exceptions include one and two-family dwellings or where buildings, balconies or decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system. In addition, liquefied petroleum gas fueled cooking devices having an LP gas capacity greater than one pound shall not be located on or within 10 feet of combustible construction in buildings or locations other than one and two-family dwellings.
Portable outdoor fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material.
If smoke emissions from a recreational fire cause a problem, the fire shall be extinguished by order of the fire chief or his designee.
View the department's flyer for more information regarding recreational and cooking fires. Anyone with questions regarding recreational fires is encouraged to contact the Fire Department by phone or by emailing Fire Marshal, Jamey Medlin.
Mason City Fire Department
350 5th St SW
Mason City, IA 50401
T: 641.421.3640
E: [email protected]
Jamey Medlin - Fire Marshal
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