• There are guidelines to follow for fire pits in Minnesota.Flame of a fire and fire wood in fireplace image by Aliaksandr Zabudzko from Fotolia.com
  
  The Minnesota State Fire Code and the Minnesota Statues are established and enforced by city officers and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). There are rules and regulations that must be followed when having an open fire. The regulations are in place to protect the community and the person maintaining the fire in the fire pit.
  
  

Locating the Fire Pit

• The fire pit cannot be placed closer than 25 feet from any combustible materials, including wood structures, debris, trees or fences. If the fire is inside a portable barbecue, the restriction does not apply, as long as there are no conditions that could cause the fire to spread to other structures.
  
  

Fire Size

• The fire cannot be any larger than 2 feet high and 3 feet in diameter. The fire must be inside a fire ring, fire pit or portable barbecue pit. Wood used for the fire should be cut down to confirm with the state requirements of maintaining the size of the fire. Large pallets or tree stumps that are large must be cut down before using in a fire pit.
  
  

Fire Pit Basics

• The fire must be attended to at all times. No fire should be left unattended by a responsible adult. The fire must be extinguished by midnight and must not give off offensive odors or smoke that can cause problems with neighbors. Fires left unattended can be extinguished and the homeowner or person responsible for the fire fined accordingly. Fires are forbidden during fire bans in the state. If winds are stronger than 15 miles an hour, no fires are allowed.
  
  

Fueling and Extinguishing a Fire

• Fires must be started with a lighter or matches, not with gas, lighter fluid, trash, rubber, yard waste or any wood that is painted or treated. Chopped wood or untreated building wood can be used. The fire must be extinguished with water, a fire extinguisher or by covering it with dirt.