Neighborhood Services receives wood smoke complaints year round. In the summer months, the complaints are typically from outdoor burning whether in a fire pan, dug in pit, or from a chiminea. In the colder months, the smoke tends to come from indoor fireplaces and stoves.
When a complaint is received, Neighborhood Services sends a letter either to the house creating the smoke or to a larger neighborhood area if the exact location is unknown.
The letter is strictly educational and outlines the following rules and guidelines for burning.
Outdoor Burning
- Any burning of construction material, yard waste, agricultural material, or trash is illegal.
- Accepted fuels are limited to charcoal and clean, dry wood.
- Backyard recreational burning and “campfires” cannot be greater than three feet in diameter or two feet in height.
- Portable outdoor fireplaces must be operated not less than 15 feet from any combustible construction or overhangs.
- The fire must be constantly attended by an adult who can intervene in case of emergency.
- A garden hose connected to a patent water supply, or a fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 4-A shall be immediately available to the user of the appliance.
- If in the opinion of fire department personnel, the fire or its byproducts are causing a hazardous condition, they are authorized to order the extinguishment of such a fire.
- The Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) will respond if a homeowner is experiencing significant smoke at their home or if they have a safety concern about a fire or the use of an outdoor wood burning appliance.
- The PFA non-emergency number is 970-416-2600.
Indoor Burning
- Burn only clean, dry wood in a small hot fire. It is illegal to burn trash, which includes cardboard, plastic, newspaper, office paper, and treated wood.
- After the first 15 minutes of start up, City Code requires the smoke from your chimney not exceed “20% opacity” (smoke should be only slightly visible when looking at it with your back to the sun).
- The installation of a fireplace or wood burning stove or insert requires the owner to obtain a building permit through Building Services.
- If you have a stove, it is possible that it pre-dates the EPA-certified approved stoves available today. If so, it is even more critical to monitor your burning practices.
- Consider replacing or removing your wood burning unit.
More Information
The City of Fort Collins offers a zero interest loan program to help you replace wood burning units. You may be eligible to borrow up to $3,000 interest-free.
The City of Fort Collins offers a zero interest loan program, called ZILCH for to help you replace wood burning units. You may be eligible to borrow up to $2,300 interest-free.
Neighborhood Services may also check that a building permit was pulled for any stove installation and may have a code inspector drive by to check for the 20% opacity.
Wood smoke can be very impactful. If you burn, outdoors or indoors, please be mindful of your neighbors and monitor your wood smoke emissions. Smoke can be reduced by burning a hot fire, not letting a fire smolder, or by extinguishing the fire.
For more information on wood burning and air quality please see fcgov.com/airquality/wood-burning.php