Bedford Township,
Michigan                                       

REVISED DIRECTIVES ON BURNING
PLEASE NOTE: FIRES MUST BE ATTENDED AT ALL TIMES
Revised Text Shown in bold typeface. 

1.     No burning of yard waste (grass, brush, leaves) in open fires during the months of June, July, August, December, January, February and March. 

2.     Burning of leaves and brush can only be done on Fridays between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the months of April, May, September, October and November.  Burning shall not be less than 25 feet from any structure where the pile size is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height.  Any burning pile larger than 3 x 2 ft. shall not be less than 50 feet from any structure. NO PERMIT NEEDED. 

3.     Campfires must be no larger than 3 ft in diameter and not to exceed 3 ft in height. Campfires must be in a pit, grill, trenched or contained, and must be attended at all times. Campfires shall not be less than 25 feet from any structure.  Campfires can burn from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight without a permit. Clean burning fuel only. No grass clippings or leaves.  RECREATIONAL ONLY. 

4.     Bonfires must be no larger than 8 ft in diameter and not to exceed 8 ft in height. Bonfires can burn from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight and must be attended at all times, but are prohibited in Bedford Township platted subdivisions unless approved by the Fire Chief. A PERMIT must be obtained from the Fire Chief or Clerk's Department. Bonfires must be trenched or contained in some fashion. Bonfires shall be in open areas, which sparks and embers would be unlikely to endanger structures (50 feet from an structure).  Clean burning fuel only.  No grass clippings or leaves.  Permits will be issued to the property owner or a representative (over the age of 18) with written permission from the owner.  Water source must be available. RECREATIONAL ONLY 

5.     Burning in an approved burning barrel with a mesh cover can be done without a permit for domestic purposes (newspaper or other papers, cardboard, limbs, leaves, grass clippings, brush - but no garbage or other solid waste) Wednesday through Saturday only during any month of the year between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  Burning barrels shall not be less than 25 feet from any structure. 

6.     The Township will enforce any total burning ban instituted by the Governor or Fire Chief for hazardous environmental conditions during dry weather.  It shall be the owner’s responsibility to be aware of any changes in the burning regulations and/or any bans on burning imposed by the Bedford Fire Department. 

7.      Burning of garbage, wet leaves, hazardous material, or material causing toxic fumes are strictly prohibited at all times. 

NOTE: The burning of any fire shall be the responsibility of the property owner. Any fire permitted that gets out of control or that is burning past the permitted burning hours will be fined as permitted in Ordinance 68A-1 and is also subject to charges for use of Fire Department equipment needed to contain or respond to the fire.  Equipment will be charged at a rate specified in the Bedford Township General and Zoning Ordinances.

Revised 12/15/2005