Fire Education

The Fire Education Section is responsible for fire prevention education and outreach services. The section is composed of a Fire Prevention Coordinator who oversees all education efforts with children, schools, preschools, teachers and daycare providers as well as a variety of educational and outreach efforts for the business, residential, and targeted high-risk communities.

For more information on fire safety and other home safety topics please visit the Home Safety Council's website.

Combustible Landscaping
To read the report on the Pine Knoll Townhome Fire please click the link located in Related Items. For more information please email the Fire Prevention Office at fireprevention@raleighnc.gov.

Fire Pits-Recreational Fires
Recreational fires are exempt from a permit, if in compliance with section 307.4.2 and 307.5 of the NC Fire Code. For clarity, a "fire pit" includes both a below ground pit and a portable device intended to contain and control outdoor wood fires. Portable fire pits, constructed of steel, brick, or masonry, may be used in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and these regulations.

• A recreational fire cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet in height and must not contain rubbish, trash, or building materials. (Use only natural firewood or commercial fire logs)
• The fire must be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished and have a 4-A fire extinguisher, or approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.
• Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material.
• Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited. The fire code official is authorized to order the extinguishment of open burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.

Debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires in North Carolina and trash burning is illegal within the City of Raleigh. Raleigh Fire Department urges citizens to be extremely careful if they choose to use outdoor grills or recreational fires

The Raleigh Fire Department recommends that occupancies of combustible construction not use highly combustible landscaping materials within 10 feet of the structure. To learn more about fire resistant landscaping materials, please visit NC Firewise's website and read Firewise Landscaping in North Carolina.