Belvidere council debates ban on wood-burning fire pits, motion fails

The Belvidere City Committee of the Whole debated proposed changes to the city’s outdoor burning rules on June 23, 2025, including a motion to prohibit wood burning in backyards and limit recreational fire pits to propane or natural gas devices.

City Attorney Drella presented a copy of the city’s pre-2007 code that largely prohibited open burning and suggested readopting that text while adding a subsection to permit manufactured propane or natural-gas fire pits. Drella said the earlier code had allowed only ceremonial, permitted fires and that the current (2007–2023) code permits commercially sold outdoor fire pits that use hardwood suitable for indoor fireplaces, with size and supervision limits and a 25-foot clearance requirement.

Aldermen split on the proposal. Supporters cited neighbors’ health and quality-of-life concerns, noting that nuisance smoke can aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions; one member referenced complaints raised by a resident who reported smoke filling his home. Opponents said the existing code is restrictive and that many residents use fire pits responsibly. Several council members favored keeping the present ordinance but strengthening enforcement and fines for repeat offenders rather than a citywide ban.

Fire Chief Shadel told the council the department responded to 49 unauthorized-burning calls in the past year and identified only two clear repeat offenders in their records. He described the department’s current practice as education-first; crews typically issue the ordinance text and ask noncompliant parties to extinguish fires, and only egregious or hazardous incidents have resulted in citations. The code provides a mechanism for the fire department to extinguish fires judged to be an “immediate nuisance” because of bothersome smoke, dangerous flames or sparks.

When the council took a roll-call vote on the motion to ban wood burning and restrict allowed devices to propane/natural gas only, eight members voted no and two voted yes; the motion failed. After the vote, council members agreed to return with options to increase penalties and clarify enforcement procedures, and the fire department said it would publish guidance on the city website and use current ordinance tools to reduce nuisances.

The committee did not adopt new ordinance language at the meeting; next steps identified were staff-produced enforcement options and possible amendments for future council consideration.