Gloversville eyes proposal to limit size of fire pits
City seeks to limit smoke problems; resident criticizes restrictions planBy RODNEY MINOR, The Leader-Herald
GLOVERSVILLE - Proposed changes to deal with smoke from outdoor fire pits have at least one city dweller fired up.
Gray Pitkin, a Bleecker Street resident, said limiting the maximum size of a fire pit to 18 inches and keeping the maximum hardwood diameter to 2 inches "is a joke."
Pitkin was addressing the Common Council last week about suggestions made by Fire Chief Doug Edwards to limit the smoke from the fire pits by setting maximum sizes for the fire pits and wood burned in them.
An outdoor fireplace that uses wood for cooking would not be allowed if it is larger than 18 inches by 18 inches, according to the proposed change to the city code. The sticks of firewood itself are not supposed to exceed a length of 16 inches or a diameter of 2 inches. Fire-extinguishing equipment must also accompany the fire.
Since April, the Fire Department has responded to more than 50 calls about outdoor fires. While that might not mean anything illegal is happening, it does highlight the problem fire officials can have dealing with outdoor fire pits.
The city code prohibits open burning except when it is done to prepare food. The code does not specify the maximum size of outdoor fireplaces or the size or quantity of wood used for outdoor cooking.
The code simply states "small" amounts of hardwood and an "appropriately" sized fireplace should be used.
Edwards said by defining the sizes and keeping them small, he hopes to limit the amount of smoke generated by fire pits.
However, Pitkin told the council that while he has a 36-inch-by-29-inch outdoor fireplace, smoke is not a problem from it. He is careful to only burn dry hardwoods in it, and he builds his fire carefully to avoid excessive smoke, he said.
"If someone burns green wood, it will smoke," Pitkin said. "I don't know what you will do to control that."
While some council members have supported size limits for outdoor fire pits and firewood, others have spoken in favor of not allowing wood to be burned outdoors at all.
Second Ward Councilman John V. Castiglione said compared to what Edwards has proposed, it might be easier to eliminate the use of wood for outdoor cooking rather than have firefighters worry about measuring the size of the fire pits and wood used.
However, Edwards noted the Fire Department still gets the occasional call associated with charcoal. While some council members were concerned about the possibility of a cooking fire getting out of control and causing a larger fire, Edwards said he could not recall anything like that happening.
Fifth Ward Councilman Matt Myers said he supported Edwards' proposal.
"If someone is being responsible, I'd rather not punish them because of what could happen," he said.
Edwards said Monday nothing in his proposal to the council is set in stone. Anyone who has concerns about the proposal may contact his or her council representative or Edwards to give suggestions about what should be stated in the city code, he said.
Edwards said he is not concerned about having any changes to the code in place until spring, when outdoor cooking will pick up again.
Rodney Minor covers Gloversville news He can be reached by e-mail at gloversville@leaderherald.com
|
slider
|
|
|---|---|
|
10-01-08 9:59 AM
|
Good point sacandaga. However that could be said about any false alarm, which happens a lot. I know Jtown deals with Trackside and their constant false ones. So they are inevitable and to date, this has not happened that I know of. If it did, then perhaps something would be needed. Right now I think people need to be trained on what to look for before reporting a fire. Just seeing smoke should not be a cause for a call. My biggest issue though with with yet another branch of NYS government telling us what "is good for us." I for one am sick of it, stop telling me what I can and cannot do. I live here, pay taxes and have a right to do what I want as long as it is not illegal or putting someone else in harms way.
|
|
rsoxfan33
|
|
|
09-30-08 11:04 PM
|
i think the city has more to worry about then some family cooking burgers and dogs over a fire pit that is oversized or burning wood that is three inches in arround rather then two..as long as the fire is safely contained and not smoking out the whole neighborhood then mind your own business...live and let live.
|
|
Discobulous
|
|
|
09-30-08 2:40 PM
|
There are no big pictures here....just fuzzy images.
|
|
homesweetsacandaga
|
|
|
09-30-08 12:40 PM
|
Hey slider: what if responding to calls about these outdoor fires prevent a full staff from reporting to a house fire? Its not all reruns and job security. Think big picture!
|
|
slider
|
|
|
09-30-08 12:23 PM
|
Hey Fire Chief Doug, in response to having to go to as many as 50 calls involving wood fires since April, we in the real world call that "job security." Sorry if it interferes with your department watching reruns on tv.
|