This letter is about whether a citizen of West Milford can burn wood with a metal fire pit with legs without a fire permit.
I see metal fire pits all over the 80 square miles of West Milford. If you have a campfire, legally or illegally, you could get a visit from the West Milford police, the West Milford Fire Bureau or the New Jersey Forest Fire Service in the near future.
Imagine your neighbor who cannot stay in their business or just does not like you as a neighbor calling the police or fire bureau or the Forest Fire Service on you anonymously to get you in trouble. Of course, most neighbors will be calling out of concern for a possible forest fire.
In Ringwood, the ordinance states, “If a fire pit has legs, and is off the ground, a permit is not required.”
I do not want to embarrass any individuals or agencies, but I am getting conflicting information about needing a fire permit for a metal fire pit with legs from two agencies. This means, if you burn with a metal fire pit with legs, you can be fined if you do not have a permit.
I hope the mayor and Township Council clarify this law in the Fire Prevention ordinances because it is not clearly stated as it is in Ringwood.
It would be best practices if the township and the Forest Fire Service have the same ordinances for what is legal to use with or without a fire permit.
The police and fire agencies do God’s work. I want the police focused on chasing murderers, rapists and spouse-beaters, not someone cooking hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire.
I want the fire agencies focused on fighting house fires and forest fires instead of running around to hundreds of properties with metal fire pits who may or may not have a fire permit.
Imagine having a party with family and friends as your campfire flickers in the metal fire pit, and the authorities show up and give you a fine for being out of compliance.
I understand I can use a chiminea without a permit, but I am getting conflicting information about the legality of using metal fire pits. Clarity is needed in West Milford fire ordinances.
James Geist
Hewitt