Outdoor Burning Rules

Recreational Fires

Recreational fires and bonfires are permitted, so long as all applicable rules and regulations are adhered to. Click the below link for rules applicable recreational fires.

Recreational Fire Rules

Bonfires

Bonfires are permitted, so long as all applicable rules and regulations are adhered to. All bonfires require approval from the Fire Marshal's Office before the event. There is no application fee associated with bonfire requests.

Bonfire and open burn requests are submitted through the Community Fire Protection District Permit Portal — the same portal used for building, occupancy, and fire permits. In the portal, select Miscellaneous Permits, then Open Burn/Bonfire Request.

You will be asked for the address or location of the proposed bonfire, the date and time, and a typed signature acknowledging the District's bonfire requirements. Review the printable bonfire requirements below before you submit your request.

The Fire Marshal's Office will approve or deny the request and notify you at the email address on your portal account. Please submit your request far enough in advance of the event to allow time for review.

PRINTABLE BONFIRE REQUIREMENTS

First time using the portal? Create a portal account.

If you are unable to submit your request through the portal, call the Fire Marshal's Office at (314) 428-1128 and staff will assist you.

Request Permission for a Bonfire

Open Burning 

The Community Fire Protection District follows and enforces St Louis County’s Open Burning ordinance:

  • Recreational fires are allowed using only untreated, seasoned, dry firewood which is free of leaves, needles, yard waste, garbage, rubbish, treated wood, or tree trimmings.

  • A recreational fire must not exceed a base area of 9 square feet and must not cause smoke, ash, or particulate matter to remain visible in the air or on surfaces beyond the property line where the fire is occurring.

  • All open burning of yard waste, including leaves, brush, or tree trimmings, is prohibited. Properties equal to or greater than 3 acres or properties sharing a boundary with the Meramec, Missouri, or Mississippi Rivers may burn yard waste composed of leaves, needles, brush, tree trimmings, and other similar material from Sept. 15 to April 14, and the total cumulative base area of any such fire shall not exceed 16 square feet. The fire shall not cause smoke, ash, or particulate matter to remain visible in the air or on surfaces beyond the property line where the fire is occurring. Check with your local Fire Protection District for any restrictions that they may have.

  • Burning of trash, garbage, refuse, construction waste, demolition waste, treated wood, trade waste, plastic, rubber, and durable goods (e.g. furniture) is prohibited.

  • Open burning for conservation/prairie maintenance may be permitted with permission from the APCP.

  • Open burning for land-clearing operations may be permitted with permission from the APCP.