Open Burning

All open burning fires on private and public property shall comply with the following standards:

  1. No person shall start or allow any open burning on any property outside the recreational fire guidelines in the City of Eagan without first having obtained an open burn permit.
  2. Open burning permits shall be obtained by making application for review to the City of Eagan Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, or Fire Official on a form prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and adopted by the Eagan Fire Department. The location is subject to a preliminary site inspection to locate the proposed burn site. Note any special conditions necessary for the permit, review fire safety considerations, and set dates and times of permitted burn. If established criteria for the issuance of an open burning permit are not met during review of the application or it is determined that a practical alternative method for disposal of the material exists or a pollution or nuisance condition would result, or if an open burn event safety plan cannot be drafted to the satisfaction of the Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector or Fire Official, the application for the open burn permit may be denied.
  3. A minimum of five (5) acres is required to obtain an open burn permit, and the open burn must be a minimum of 300’ from all combustible materials (i.e. dwellings and structures).
  4. The open burn event shall be constantly attended by the permit holder or his/her representative. The open fire shall be completely extinguished before the permit holder or his/her representative leaves the site. No fire may be allowed to smolder without the permit holder or his/her representative present on the site.
  5. The open burn site shall have available appropriate communication and fire suppression equipment as set forth in the fire safety plan in case of an emergency.
  6. The permit holder shall have the valid permit available for inspection by the Police Department, Fire Department, MPCA or DNR Forest Officer on the open burn site.
  7. No permits will be issued when the DNR has officially declared a burning ban due to potential hazardous fire conditions or when the MPCA has declared an Air Quality Alert.
  8. The permit holder shall comply with and implement all special conditions noted on the permit and conditions of the burn event safety plan as established. The permit holder shall be responsible for all costs incurred as a result of the burn, including but not limited to fire suppression and administrative costs and fees.
  9. The open burning permit is subject to revocation at the discretion of the Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, Fire Official, Police Department, MPCA, or DNR Forest Officer. Reasons for revocation may include, but are not limited to: a fire hazard existing or developing during the course of the burn; any of the conditions of the permit being violated during the course of the burn; a pollution or nuisance condition developing during the course of the burn, or a fire smoldering with no flames present.

For additional information, please call the Eagan Fire Department at (651) 675-5900.