COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) was called to the 3600 block of River Road for a report of a structure fire at around !0:15 a.m. on Friday.
While responding, firefighters learned from dispatchers that the small blaze originated in a backyard burn pit and spread to the lawn and a wooden privacy fence. When CFD arrived, smoke and flames were visible from the rear of the residence. They were quickly brought under control.
The property owner said sticks were burning in a portable fire pit when embers left the pit and contacted dry pine needles. The fire spread to a nearby brush pile next to the fence and a tree in a neighboring yard. A bench located near the fire pit was also damaged.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was deemed accidental. Firefighters confirmed that the open burn container used by the property owner met the open burning regulation requirements within the City of Columbus. Damages are estimated at less than $2500.
Open burning within approved containers is permitted but CFD recommends avoiding it when dry and windy conditions are prevalent. Dry lawn vegetation fuels a fire, and winds can spread it rapidly. To reduce the chance of inadvertent fire spread, authorities recommend removing all dry vegetation from where open burning will take place and pre-wetting the area around a burn pit.
Below are the City of Columbus regulations for open burning:
- Open burning of rubbish is prohibited
- Open containers having a bottom, sides, and an ¼ inch mesh top are approved for burning
- The minimum required distance from a structure is 15 feet
- A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a 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
- Burning material shall be constantly attended to by a person knowledgeable in the fire extinguishing equipment required by this section and familiar with any limitations that restrict open burning
