Open Burning Regulations within the State and City

            Brazil City Ordinance No. 05-2002 covers open burning regulations for recreational and ceremonial fires for the residents within the corporate limits of the City of Brazil. This ordinance defines allowable burning and the penalties for violations. Section four of the ordinance sets guidelines for recreational or ceremonial fires. Here are a few points to remember about open burning:

¨     To have a ceremonial or recreational fire a person must first register with the Brazil City Police Department dispatch office here at the City Hall Building. While registering for open burning you can also obtain a copy of the ordinance and related information from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

¨     Only clean wood products can be used for open burning. The burning of trash, garbage, refuse, outdoor waste, foliage, branches, leaves, plastic and building materials, waste materials and waste substances, tires, treated wood, and materials containing asbestos is prohibited and declared a public nuisance. 

¨     Fires must be attended at all times and have adequate suppression equipment on-sight to extinguish the fire.

¨     Fires shall not be ignited prior to two (2) hours before the event and be extinguished completely at the conclusion of the activity.  All burning must be extinguished by midnight of the date registered for burning.

¨     Indiana Administrative Code 326 IAC 4-1-3 states a person shall extinguish the fire if the fire creates a nuisance or fire hazard.

¨     Open burning can be denied due to unfavorable weather conditions such as high winds or temperature inversions.

¨     The Police and Fire Department can inspect the location with or without a complaint registered regarding the fire.