Burn Requirements

In order to conduct a bonfire within the Village of Gurnee and Warren-Waukegan Fire Protection District, the following permit process must be completed:

1. Fill out and submit the Burn Permit Request form.
   
   
2. Submit a detailed site plan for review. 
   
   
3. Schedule a site inspection with the Fire Department by calling 847-599-6600.
   
   
4. The bonfire must meet the following:
   
   1. 2024 International Fire Code
   2. Gurnee Municipal Code, Chapter 34, Article V.

Note to permit applicant: Pursuant to your compliance of all requirements as stated in this permit process, you will be issued a permit to conduct a bonfire. All Open Burn Permit requests are subject to a $50 fee.

In order to conduct an open burn within the Village of Gurnee and the Warren – Waukegan Fire Protection District, the following permit process must be completed:

1. All open burns shall meet the requirements of the 2024 International Fire Code, Section 307 – Open Burning and Recreational Fires and the State of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Standard Conditions For Open Burning.
   
   
2. A permit shall be obtained from the Fire Department prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural or range wildlife management practices, or prevention or control of disease or pests.
   
   
3. Open burning shall only be permitted with prior approval from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA).  IEPA phone number:  217-782-2113.
   
   
4. Open burning shall be conducted by a qualified person(s). 
   
   
5. Open burning that will be offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.  The Fire Inspector or the Commanding Fire Officer at the scene is authorized to order the extinguishment of the open burning which creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.
   
   
6. The location for open burning shall not be less than 50 feet from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure.
   
   
7. Submit the completed open burning permit information form.
   
   
8. Submit a detailed site plan to include distance to nearest structures.
   
   
9. Submit a copy of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency permit. 
   
   
10. Open burning shall be conducted only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during those months that Central Standard Time is in effect and 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. during those months Central Daylight Savings Time is in effect.
    
    
11. Applicable fee shall be submitted to this office with application.           
12. Person(s) conducting the open burn shall notify Gurnee Dispatch at 847-599-7000 the day of the burn prior to kindling a fire.

Recreational fires are the only non-permitted outdoor fires allowed by code within the Village of Gurnee and Warren-Waukegan Fire Protection District.  The following guidelines shall be followed.   Please contact the Fire Department at 847-599-6600 should you have questions or require clarification.

• Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material (includes wood fencing).  Conditions which cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to a fire being kindled.

• Exception: Fires in approved containers (ie: portable fire places) shall not be conducted within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material (includes wood fencing), or placed on wood decks.

• Recreational fire pits shall be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and no larger than 2 feet in height.

• Only dry, seasoned firewood shall be permitted to be burned. Green or wet firewood often creates objectionable smoke.  Landscape waste, construction waste, etc. shall not be permitted to be burned.

• Recreational fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished.

• A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or other 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 are not permitted on Village of Gurnee property or right of ways.

• Recreational fires that will be offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.  When wind speed or direction carries smoke or embers towards complainant, the fire shall be required to be extinguished.

• Permits are required for recognized wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, or a bonfire.  Applications for such permits may be obtained from the Fire Department at Gurnee Fire Station 2.

• Dial 911 to report a burning complaint.

The commanding fire officer at the scene is authorized to order the extinguishment of a fire which creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation, or is in violation of the adopted codes.  If the situation warrants, contact the Gurnee Police Dept. or the Lake County Sheriff’s Dept. to assist, based on the authority having jurisdiction.

Residents who reside in the Village of Gurnee are not permitted to burn landscape waste per the Gurnee Municipal Code, Chapter 34, Article V. Outdoor Fires.  Please contact the Fire Department at 847-599-6600 if you have questions or require clarification.

Residents who reside in the unincorporated areas of Lake County within the Warren-Waukegan Fire Protection District are required to comply with the Lake County Open Burning Restrictions. Please contact the Lake County Planning, Building, and Development Department at 847-377-2600 if you have questions.