Fire and Police Departments Remind Residents: Recreational Fires Need Permits, and Please Be Safe Around Fireworks
Fire Permit Information
As the holiday week approaches and people plan their cookouts and bonfires, the Columbia Heights Fire Department would like to remind residents that recreational fires within the City limits require a permit.
Permits may be obtained from the Fire Department located at 825 41st Avenue NE, Columbia Heights between the hours of 8 AM and 4:30 PM Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Residents are allowed nine (9) FREE Daily Recreational Fire Permits per year or an Annual Recreational Fire Permit can be purchased for $25.
The Fire Department accepts the following payment methods: check, credit card, money order, and cash (exact change only, no change will be provided).
The permit must be onsite while the fire is burning and all rules are to be strictly followed. Open burning of grass, leaves, cardboard, garbage, etc. are not allowed in the City of Columbia Heights. An adult must be in constant attendance during all burning.
Chalk One Up for Safety
Instead of disrupting your neighbors and your pets, the State Fire Marshal Division is encouraging families to decorate their driveways and sidewalks with colorful chalk art as an alternative to lighting fireworks.
Grab some chalk, draw your fireworks, and share the photos with the City of Columbia Heights here.
Firework Safety Tips
The Fire and Police Departments would also like to remind residents of firework safety with these safety tips:
• Remember that if fireworks fly or explode, they’re illegal here in Minnesota. You can find a list of legal fireworks on the MN Department of Public Safety website here.
• Use fireworks in an open area, away from houses and other structures.
• Don’t let children run through the area.
• Do not try to re-light a dud. Ever.
• Have a bucket of water for all the debris. Drop spent fireworks – even sparklers – into the bucket and not the grass.
Make Sure They're Legal!
Remember, fireworks that launch into the air and/or explode are illegal in Minnesota, and consumer fireworks may not be used on public property (i.e. parks, roads, alleys, schools, government property, etc.). Purchasers of consumer fireworks must be at least 18 years old and retailers are required to check photo identification of purchasers before selling these products.
Examples of illegal fireworks:
• Firecrackers
• Bottle rockets
• Missiles
• Roman candles
• Mortars and shells
Penalty
According to Minnesota law, possession of less than 35 pounds of illegal fireworks is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $700. Possession of more than 35 pounds of illegal fireworks is punishable by up to one year in jail and fines up to $3,000.
Be safe and have fun this Fourth of July!
6-30-2020
6-30-2020