Open Burning Ordinance

Why is “open burning” a problem?

Open burning (burning anything outdoors) can harm your health and that of your neighbors.  Open burning:

• Releases unfiltered and untreated toxic pollutants and particles directly into the air at ground level, where they can be easily inhaled;
• Produces ash that can contain toxic metals such as mercury, lead, chromium, and arsenic. People sometimes scatter the ash or bury it in the backyard garden.  There, vegetables absorb and accumulate the toxic metals and children playing in the yard can ingest the contaminated soil; and
• Frequently causes brush, residential and forest fires particularly during drought.

Instead of burning household garbage, dispose of it properly.  When possible, recycle and compost waste.

Report Illegal Open Burning

**If fire of any nature gets out of control, call 9-1-1 first!

To report controlled illegal burning, call Charleston County non-emergency dispatch line (843-743-7200) or North Charleston Fire Department Headquarters (843-740-2616).

Sec. 8-5. – Certain prohibitions of open burning.

(a)  ”Open burning” means the intentional burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. For the purpose of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open.

(b)  A person shall not kindle, maintain, or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless allowed below.

(c)  Open burning is prohibited except as provided as follows:

(1)  Fires set for the cooking of food for human consumption if:

1.  Contained within a device designed for the purposes of cooking food over open flame;
2.  Kept from beneath or under a residence (or eaves);
3.  Kept three (3) feet from any combustible material;
4.  If the cooking fire is constantly attended until extinguished; and
5.  A minimum of one (1) portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose, shall be available for immediate utilization.

(2)  Fires set for recreational purposes if:

1.  Contained within a device designed for the purpose of containing recreational fires to include: portable fire places, chimeras, grills, woodstoves, etc.;
2.  Kept twenty-five (25) feet from any structure or combustible material;
3.  If the recreational fire is constantly attended until extinguished; and
4.  A minimum of one (1) portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose, shall be available for immediate utilization.

(3)  Fires set in a pit for the cooking of food for human consumption if:

1.  The total fuel area is three (3) feet or less in diameter and two (2) feet or less in height;
2.  Kept twenty-five (25) feet from any structure or combustible material; and
3.  A minimum of one (1) portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose, shall be available for immediate utilization.

(4)  Fires set for the purpose of backfiring to contain previously ignited fires if performed by the organization responsible for fighting and containing the fire.

(5)  Fires set for the purpose of heating, construction or maintenance activities that use wood, propane, acetylene, natural gas, gasoline or kerosene in a device intended for such use.

(6)  Fires set for the purpose of instruction and/or training of firefighters.

(7)  Fires set for the removal of hurricane debris or other debris generated by a natural disaster if performed by or authorized by an organization responsible for fighting and containing the fire.

(d)  The fire department, police department, and fire code officials are authorized to order the extinguishment of any fire that violates the provisions of this ordinance or creates a public nuisance.

(Ord. No. 2011-031, 7-14-2011)

*First offense may be a warning.  Maximum fine for anyone caught operating an illegal burn: $1095.00

For further information, please contact the NCFD Headquarters (843-740-2616).