Beach Bonfires

SWFD BEACH BONFIRE GUIDELINES

CONTAINER:

Bonfire material shall be placed in a metal container such as a galvanized tub, fire pit or burn barrel and shall be no larger than four (4) feet in diameter.
All containers shall be equipped with a steel bottom which must sit a minimum of 4 inches off the sandy portion of the beach.
Fire rings or pits with no bottoms are strictly prohibited.
There shall be a minimum of (3) feet clearance from the outer edge of the container at all times from any combustible materials.
Bonfire material shall be stacked to ensure the flame reaches no higher than four (4) feet.
No permitted fire shall be within 30 feet of another permitted fire on any beach owned, leased, dedicated to, or maintained by the County.
There is a six (6) tiki torch maximum limit per event regardless of the number of permits issued for said event.

MATERIAL:

Flammable and/or combustible liquids shall not be utilized for fueling the bonfires. Use paper and matches rather than lighter fluid/gasoline to ignite your fire.
Bonfire material shall not consist of pressure treated lumber, tar paper, contents containing any rubber products, creosote treated lumber, glue impregnated material, plastic, foam, or household trash.
All burn material shall be free of nails or other metals.

SET UP:

Servicing of the bonfire site will be accomplished by hand carrying the equipment and supplies to the site. Vehicles shall not service the bonfire site (unless you have a beach vehicle permit.)
March 1^st to October 31^st, bonfire pits and any evidence of shall not be placed on the beach prior to 5:00pm; and any evidence of or remnant from fires must be removed by 12:00 midnight.
November 1^st to the last day of February, bonfire pits and any evidence of shall not be placed on the beach prior to 4:00pm and any evidence of or remnants from fires must be removed by 11:00pm.

Applicants shall adhere to the following:

The fire pit, galvanized tub or burn barrel shall not be buried in the sand at any time during use or after the fire.
Shall be 100 feet away from habitable structures.
Shall be 200 feet away from sea turtle nests.
Shall be 50 feet away from vehicles, public roads, other structures, plants and vegetation (Dunes.)

EXTINGUISHMENT:

Upon completion of the bonfire, all ashes and leftover material must be thoroughly extinguished and removed from the beach. KEEP A SOURCE OF WATER OR OTHER EXTINGUISHING DEVICE NEARBY.

CLEAN UP AND RESTORATION:

It shall be unlawful and is in violation of the South Walton Fire District Ordinance as well as the Walton County Ordinance for any person to fail to cleanup as provided with the ordinance. Issuance of the permit does not excuse or relieve the applicant from liability, responsibility for any damages, residual damages as a result of an improper, carelessness or negligence in setting up, tending , or extinguishing the fire.
Cleanup and restoration of the site shall be completed by the expiration date and time set forth by the permit. The person obtaining the permit is responsible for providing the trash bags, removing the trash and placing all the trash in the proper containers.
Evidence of or remnants from fires shall not be buried or deposited in the County beach garbage collection stations, beach dune systems, parking areas, or any other areas owned, leased, dedicated to, or maintained by the County.

Leave the area clean, dark & flat!

WEATHER:

Unsuitable wind or weather conditions shall be taken into consideration prior to and during the actual bonfire; adverse conditions may cause the revocation of the permit.

Refunds or rainchecks are not granted on the permits, so please plan your event carefully.
AGE REQUIREMENTS:

Permits are issued to persons 18 years or older. Participant under the age of 18 shall be chaperoned by an adult EIGHTEEN (18) years of age or older. FOR SUCH GROUPS, THE PERMIT WILL ONLY BE ISSUED TO THE CHAPERONE. Children shall be accompanied by an adult at all times when near a recreational fire.

THE PERMIT:

The person obtaining the permit must be present during the hours of the bonfire. The approved bonfire permit shall be present upon request of a Fire Official or Law Enforcement Officer. The South Walton Fire District reserves the right to check for permit compliance at any time.

PENALTIES

Persons that light a beach bonfire without a permit are in violation of SWFD and Walton County Ordinances.
Penalties for lighting a fire on the beach without a permit is $500.00 as listed in Walton County Resolution 2021-151
https://www.co.walton.fl.us/471/Resolutions-Ordinances