Did You Know? Chiminea Fires OK in Hellertown

Although Hellertown used to ban their use (except for cooking), controlled recreational fires in chimineas are now permitted in backyards, according to the borough ordinance that regulates open burning.

Section 138.5 of the ordinance, which defines "Allowable open burning," states that "any recreational fire, including to cook or prepare food, provided that said fire is contained in a fireproof container, which shall include but not be limited to a patio stove, cooking grill, chimineas or factory-built novelty stoves," is allowed.

"The only stipulation is that if any neighboring resident should complain of smoke/odor, the fire must be extinguished," borough zoning and codes enforcement officer Kris Russo explained in an email.