Now that summer is in full swing and everyone likes to enjoy being outside and enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer, Albert Lea Fire Rescue would like to remind residents of the Recreational/Camp Fire Ordinance.

Recreational/camp fires must be 25 feet from any structure or combustible materials (i.e. decks, homes and fences).  The materials used can be no more than three feet high by three feet wide and only consist of dry, clean fuels, such as twigs, branches, limbs, manufactured fireplace logs, charcoal, cord wood or untreated dimensional lumber. Items that are not allowed to burn consist of limbs or branches green with leaves or needles, rotten, wet, oil soaked or treated with paint, glue or preservatives (such as lumber).  The materials must be completely surrounded by noncombustible and non-smoking or odor producing materials such as rock, cement, brick, tile, blocks or ferrous metal.

If at any time a recreational / camp fire becomes a nuisance or a health/safety hazard, Albert Lea Fire Rescue has the authority to require extinguishment.

Those who have questions regarding recreational/camp fires may call the fire department at 507-377-4340.