(From the City of Shakopee and the Shakopee Fire Department.)
Shakopee residents are reminded that it is illegal to burn grass, leaves, yard/garden waste, trash and garbage within the city limits. Open burning is prohibited by City Code Section 10.29 and is punishable as a misdemeanor.
Yard waste may be composted, or, for a small fee, it can be collected with your weekly trash. For more information on yard waste disposal, contact Dick’s Sanitation at 952-469-5161 or www.dickssanitation.com.
Recreational fires, as defined below, are allowed if they meet the following requirements:
- Recreational fires must have a fire area no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet in height.
- Burning rubbish is prohibited. Rubbish includes garbage, waste paper, leaves, grass, yard and garden waste, debris from construction or demolition, hazardous materials, oils, rubber, plastic, chemically treated materials or other materials that produce excessive or noxious smoke.
- Don’t burn recreational fires within 25 feet of a single or multi-family residential structure or any commercial structure unless they are contained in an outdoor fireplace. The fireplace must be constructed of non-combustible materials containing a base supported by a minimum of three (3) legs, a wire mesh screen on all sides and a lid. Prior to lighting a fire, be sure to eliminate conditions that could cause it to spread to within 25 feet of a structure.
- An outdoor fireplace must not be used within 15 feet of a single or multi-family structure or commercial structure.
- Buckets, shovels, garden hoses or fire extinguishers with a minimum 4-A rating must be readily available for use at recreational fires.
- A person knowledgeable in using fire extinguishing equipment is required to attend to a recreational fire constantly until it is extinguished.
- Any member of the Shakopee Fire Prevention Bureau or officer of the Shakopee Fire Department, Minnesota DNR, Shakopee Police Department or Scott County Sheriff Department may require a recreational fire to be extinguished immediately if it is hazardous or creating a nuisance condition.
- Recreational fires will not be allowed if a total burning ban is in effect.
- Recreational fires will be allowed only when maximum wind speed, including gusts, does not exceed 15 MPH. Additionally, the prevailing winds must be away from occupied structures.
For more information about local open burning and recreational fire issues, or any other fire safety questions, contact the Shakopee Fire Department at 952-233-9570 or visit our website at www.ci.shakopee.mn.us/fire_department.cfm.
