Protect our Outdoors

Wildland and Campfire Safety

Learn how to safely enjoy campfires and outdoor activities while helping prevent wildfires in our community.

Wildland Fire Safety

What is a Wildfire?

A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that can spread quickly in forests, grasslands, or rural areas. They can happen almost anywhere. Wildfires are more likely to happen during the summer and fall, especially during a drought when leaves and branches are dry and flammable.

What Causes Wildfires?

🔥 Natural causes

A lightning strike can ignite dry plants
Lava and Ash can spark fires
Spontaneous combustion
- Heat from decaying leaves and branches

🔥 Humans

Setting fires on purpose (this is illegal), also known as Arson.
Campfires or barbecues that are left unattended or not properly put out.
Discarded cigarettes or broken glass focusing sunlight

🔥 Sparks from machinery like trains or vehicles

NFPA Wildfire Safety Tips

Wildfire Safety Rules

Before a wildfire
- have a disaster plan and make sure you know if you live in a wildfire prone area
- prepare an emergency kit with food, water, a flashlight, and other supplies
During a wildfire
- evacuate immediately, if told to do so
- wear protective clothing and stay away from fire hazards
- choose a safe route to leave the area
After a wildfire
- stay away until officials say it’s safe to return

Download our Wildland Evacuation Checklist

Village of Minooka Burning of Waste Materials Ordinance

7-1-4: BURNING OF WASTE MATERIALS:

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to burn waste materials within the village limits, except as regulated herein. Any person violating this section shall be punishable as provided in section 1-4-1 of this code.

B. All burning of waste materials is subject to the following regulations:

1. Burning Prohibited: Except as hereinafter provided it shall be unlawful to burn any material, including, but not limited to, “landscape waste” and “municipal waste” as hereinafter defined.

2. Definitions:

LANDSCAPE WASTE: All accumulations of grass or shrubbery, leaves and all other materials accumulated in the care of lawns, shrubbery and vines.

MUNICIPAL WASTE: Garbage, general household and commercial waste, industrial lunchroom or office waste, landscape waste and construction or demolition debris.

3. Exceptions: The following open burning activities are permitted within the village:

a. The setting of fires by the forest preserve district of any county on property owned or controlled by it, to perform prescribed burning for natural community and habitat management;

b. The setting of fires to combat or limit existing fires, when reasonable and necessary in the judgment of the responsible government official;

c. The burning of fuels for legitimate campfire, recreational, and cooking purposes, or in domestic fireplaces, in areas which such burning is consistent with other laws, provided that no garbage shall be burned in such cases;

d. Small open flames for heating tar or for welding, acetylene torches, highway safety flares, and the like.

C. Fires shall be located not less than fifty feet (50′) from any structure, with adequate provisions made to prevent the spread of fire, or the fire shall be contained in a fireproof container located not less than fifteen feet (15′) from any structure.

D. All fires shall be constantly attended until such fire is extinguished. The person attending the fire shall be equipped with a hose connected to a water supply, or other fire extinguishing equipment, suitable to extinguish the fire.

E. Prior to starting the fire, the appropriate fire protection district shall be notified of the location of the fire, the nature of the materials to be burned, the date and time of the fire, and the name of the person to be attending the fire.

F. No waste materials may be burned on any village or public street or alley.

G. It shall be unlawful to burn styrofoam, polystyrene, any other kind of plastic material, shingles, or insulation. It shall be unlawful to burn any materials in which the above materials may be incorporated.

H. The owner of the property where the fire is to be located, the person owning the materials to be burned, the person responsible for causing the materials to be burned, and the person attending the fire are each jointly responsible to see that the regulations set forth in this section are not violated. (Ord. 2003-02, 1-28-2003)

What is Prescribed Burning?

Prescribed (or “controlled”) burning is a means of reintroducing this natural process. A controlled burn involves identifying the area to be burned (the “burn unit”), establishing control lines in order to prevent the fire from burning unintended areas, and intentionally setting the burn unit on fire.

Fire can also be an important tool to attain specific maintenance objectives such as controlling tree and shrub growth along the embankment of a flood control reservoir where the roots systems can threaten structural integrity. The disturbance created by periodic fires is important in maintaining our remnant oak/hickory forests and savannas.

Controlled burning is also an important tool providing many benefits for restoring our natural plant communities to lands that have been disturbed. Fire is used to clear the ground of existing vegetation in preparation of seeding and planting more desirable plant species. Burning allows the seeds to make better contact with the soil and therefore improves the chances of successful germination.

Fire is used to reduce the competition between weedy species and native species as a restoration area matures to encourage better establishment of the native vegetation which slowly displaces the weeds. Controlled burning also returns nutrients to the soil, making them readily available for the next generation of vegetation growth.

For more information about Prescribed Burning, visit Will County Forest Preserve District

Campfire Safety

CAMPFIRE SAFETY

In the United States, nearly nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by people not being careful. Help prevent these types of fires by learning to be careful and helping others do the same. For more information, visit: Campfire Safety from Smokey Bear!

Make sure you are at a site that allows campfires.
Make sure there are no burn bans and it’s not too windy.
Dig a pit away from overhanging branches.
Circle the pit with rocks.
Clear a 10-foot area around the pit down to the dirt, removing anything that could catch on fire.
Stack extra wood upwind and away from fire.
After lighting, throw the match into the fire.
Never leave a campfire unattended; an adult should supervise the campfire at all times.
Keep a bucket of water and shovel nearby.
Never put anything but wood into the fire.
Do not pull sticks out of the fire.
Do not sit on the fire ring or rocks around the campfire. They will heat up quickly and they’ll stay hot for a long time.
When it’s time to put the fire out, dump lots of water on it, stir it with a shovel, then dump more water on it. Make sure it is COLD before leaving the campsite. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave!

NFPA Campfire Safety Tips