• In Minnesota, a fire pit must be one foot deep and surrounded by rocks.camping fire image by sumos from Fotolia.com
  
  A fire pit can be a hole dug in the ground or a container made to hold a fire. Fire pits are allowed in Minnesota, but some guidelines must be followed. The state has regulations regarding the size of the fire pit, its proximity to buildings and power lines, the materials used for starting the fire and the materials used for burning. These strict requirements and restrictions apply because of the safety hazard a fire pit can pose to lives and property.
  
  

Location and Size of Fire Pit

• A fire pit in Minnesota must be at least one foot below ground and surrounded by a ring of rocks or bricks. The fire pit must be at least 25 feet away from a building or any other structure and must be at least 600 feet away from a road with high power lines. If the fire is contained in an outdoor fireplace or chiminea, it must be at least 15 feet away from buildings. If the fire pit is not contained in a fireplace, barbecue grill, chiminea or incinerator, the flames must be less than three feet tall and less than two feet wide. If the fire pit is in a container, the container can not be more than three feet wide and three feet high.
  
  

Materials for Fire Pits

• Materials that can create dense smoke, such as grass, leaves, yard waste, trash or garbage, are not allowed to be burned in a fire pit in Minnesota. Charcoal or wood that is not stained, painted, varnished or chemically treated can be used to maintain the fire. Gas or any other flammable material must not be used to start a fire, and any outdoor fireplace or chiminea must be legally approved to be used as fire pit. The Fire Department recommends always following the manufacturer's recommendations when using a chiminea or any other fire pit container.
  
  

Fire Prevention

• Fires must be constantly supervised until they have been completely extinguished. A fire extinguisher, a garden hose or a shovel must be kept near the fire at all times. A fire pit is not allowed if the wind speed is greater than ten miles an hour, and any fire that becomes a hazard can be extinguished by the police. Any violation of these requirements is considered a misdemeanor and can incur a fine of up to $1,000 and necessitate a court appearance.