Oshkosh considers recreational burning permits

OSHKOSH, WI – (WISS) – Residents of Oshkosh may not have to pay $15 a year to purchase permits for recreational burning, such as firepits, cooking fires, and fireplaces. An amendment to the municipal code to rescind the requirement for recreational burning permits is in front of the Oshkosh Common Council members.

Common Council Member Paul Esslinger brought the change before the Common Council and requested the change to provide some relief to Oshkosh residents.

“There are just so many fees. And the fees always go up. They never go down. There’s always the implementation of a new fee,” said Esslinger. “I’ve talked to many, many taxpayers in my years of being on the city council. And they’ve just had enough.” 

Oshkosh Fire Chief Mike Stanley said he understands the motivation for changing the ordinance but feels having residents buy burn permits helps educate them on fire safety.

“I think it’s still necessary. We very deliberately put it into place for a reason. It is a tool utilized by many others in the region, the state, and nationwide as a risk reduction tool,” said Stanley. “It is an opportunity for us to educate the public. And also gives us an enforcement piece.”

Pros and cons of recreational burning permits

Stanley said making sure residents aren’t burning trash or tires, too closely to the house or garage is one way to help with enforcement. The other thing permitting did was to stop neighbor arguments before they started.

“That was one of the issues that we were experiencing – You and I don’t get along, so I’ll continue to call the fire department to report your recreational burning,” said Stanley. 

Esslinger said he doesn’t think that education on the rules and regulations is a good enough reason to charge $15.

“It just doesn’t look good that you’re charging people that want to use their own property – their own means– to have a little fire in their yard. And charging them $15 to do that,” said Esslinger.

Stanley says, for him, it’s not about the $15,000 the Oshkosh Fire Department earns from the permits each year. It’s about the invaluable education the process provides.

“One thing I do know, and I keep pointing out, is over the July 4th holiday a neighboring municipality had two people significantly burned. Very tragic, significant burns because somebody threw gasoline on a recreational fire. That municipality does not have a requirement for burn permits,” said Stanley. “Is there a 100% correlation? There’s a correlation, but is there causality? Those things are always difficult to capture. We look at what’s the potential to reduce risks. And what are the best practices in the country.”

The Oshkosh Common Council will vote on the proposed ordinance that would do away with the fire permits for recreational burning during its regular Common Council meeting on Wednesday, August 14th at 6 PM.