Recreational Fires / Open Burning

Recreational fires in Hopkins do not require a permit (except during a burning ban) if they meet these requirements, set forth by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the State of Minnesota, and the City of Hopkins.

Requirements

  • The material to be burned must be limited to a pile no larger than 3 feet in diameter by 3 feet high.
  • Only unpainted and untreated wood, coal, or charcoal may be burned.
  • Fire must not be within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material unless contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread to within 25 feet of a structure must be eliminated before starting the fire.
Campfire

If your fire will meet these guidelines, you don't need a permit in Hopkins.

  • Buckets, shovels, garden hoses, or a fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating must be readily available.
  • Recreational fires must be constantly attended by someone who knows how to use fire-extinguishing equipment. The fire must be attended until it has been extinguished.
  • If the chief determines a recreational fire to be hazardous, the fire must be immediately extinguished.

If you plan to have a fire that does not meet the above requirements, you must obtain a combination permit (PDF) from the City of Hopkins and the DNR through the Hopkins Fire Marshal.

Be a Good Neighbor

If you are concerned that neighbors might confuse your recreational fire with a destructive one and call 911, you may call the Hopkins Police and Fire Dispatcher at 952-938-8885 and tell them you are having a recreational fire. If a neighbor complains because of smoke or fear of the fire spreading, your fire will be considered a “Public Nuisance” and will need to be extinguished. Be a good neighbor. Keep your fire well away from the property line. Use only clean dry wood, don’t allow the fire to smolder, and keep it burning good and hot to minimize smoke.