Tips and suggestions on creating the best fire space in your garden for both rural and urban settings, and what you need to know about certain recreational fire laws.
Something about those orange, yellow, and red flames fanning themselves into a fluster of fiery embers, flowing off into other areas of the night, or day, really creates a sense of comfort. The same way a hot shower makes you feel after a long twenty-four hours, heat just has a way of keeping things cozy.
Even with the summer creeping in, it’s never too hot to gather around a bonfire, share stories, make memories, and enhance any and every social or distant experience. Especially on the more cooler nights ahead.
Plus, the benefits of fire are needed now more than ever. Studies show that humans look at fire as a primal way to resolve conflict, reduce stress, and blood pressure. And considering the fact that we’re living in a pandemic, with additional crises every other month, incorporating an accessible bonfire sanctuary right in your own backyard, would provide an alleviating aesthetic at your convenience.
“But how to go about setting up a fire when you are living in an urban or rural neighborhood? Are there rules and regulations?”
Urban & Rural Neighborhood Stipulations
First off, when it comes to rural and urban areas, it’s important to note your states fire regulations. Some states have laws that may restrict the use of recreational fires if not related to religious use, BBQs, or any form of festival, and this can be even more restricted in the urban areas, while others jurisdictions might not have any restrictions. For instance:In rural areas like Cobb County Georgia, they have a “Burning Ban” law that states it’s illegal to burn between the months of May 1st - September 30th, but allowed from October 1st - April 30th. Or in places like the east coast, who are prone to wildfires, have fire pit laws where it’s legal to have a bonfire in your backyard as long as it’s in a pit vs. burning wood on the ground. But there are specifications when it comes to size, placement, and distance between the fire and the house/street.
How to Design with Fire in Your Backyard
Rural NeighborhoodsWhen living in a house with a backyard that’s an average 8,560 square feet, and a decent distance from your neighbors, there are two ways to go about generating a bonfire gathering.
For a fire Pit, Some of the most basic building materials such as:
• bricks • pavers • retaining wall blocks • concrete
are some things you can use to manufacture a bonfire haven. DIY particulars include, flower pots, metal planters and even glass. Unused garden ponds would suffice as a bonfire placement as well. Because the reservoir is already rimmed with fire-resistant rocks, it only takes a coat of sand, a few more rocks, and firewood in between to get the party or wind down started.
Lighting in Your Garden
First things first, it’s best to plan your bonfires ahead as a common courtesy to your neighbors when setting fire in your garden. It’s legal to do at any time of day, but early mornings and late evenings are preferable times.
Make a circle of any size with rocks, to isolate a patch of grass that will become the home for your bonfire. Avoid burning things like rubber, oil, straw, hay, plastic, and wet or green matter. Instead, using palettes and tree wood will give those crackling flames, while maintaining a stable and controlled blaze.
Urban Neighborhoods
Living in the city, apartment, loft, or studio style, doesn’t leave that much room for a full-blown fire display. That’s why “City Fires”, has portable mini-bonfires that you can re-use on all your balcony adventures. It’s environmentally friendly, made with eco-friendly charcoal and recyclable steel tins, and low-maintenance when it comes to emerging and extinguishing the fire by simply covering the lid.
To make up for last year, let’s make this summer a sizzling one to remember!
