Bonfire & Fire Pit Guidelines

Bonfires

In general, a bonfire is an outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial or recreational purposes. The following guidelines shall be followed when a group or organization plans to have a bonfire on the PFW Campus.

• The bonfire area is for use by campus departments only. Use of the bonfire area by external entities is not permitted.
• All bonfires require a permit from the city. The Grounds division of Facilities Management will obtain the permit.  The Grounds department requires a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice to obtain the permit.
• A PFW Bonfire Liaison needs to be on site during the burn time plus 1 hour before and 1 hour after the burn time (for prep and to watch for smoldering embers). Suitable provisions need to be made that will prevent a fire from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure.
• Special Events will request the Bonfire Liaison through the Grounds Dept. in Facilities Management.
• Bonfires may not be utilized to dispose of waste material.
• Overtime for the Bonfire Liaison may be incurred depending on the date/times of bonfire and will be charged to the sponsoring department or organization.

             O             In the event of over time charges, the hourly rate is $25.00 per hour with a four (4) hour minimum.

• The Bonfire Liaison on site is solely responsible for the maintenance of the bonfire. The Bonfire Liaison will build, stoke and extinguish the bonfire.  Bonfire Liaison has the authority to douse the bonfire if, at his/her discretion, the situation appears unsafe or activities around the fire have gotten out of hand.
• In the event of rain, the area around the bonfire will get soggy and muddy. This can directly hamper PFW’s ability to build and/or maintain the bonfire.
• A bonfire shall be in the permanent fire pit location and shall not burn longer than three hours.
• Fuel for the bonfire shall consist only of dry firewood. The fire shall not be ignited with flammable liquids.
• The Grounds department will supply the wood for the bonfire. The cost of the wood will be charged to the sponsoring department or organization. The current cost is $50.00 per bonfire.
• The area directly behind the amphitheater is the only on-campus approved site for bonfires.
• The Bonfire area can be reserved here: www.pfw.edu/scheduling-form
• All bonfires are to be coordinated through the PFW Special Events Department who will work in conjunction with the Grounds Department.
• Cooking with the bonfire is not allowed. Bonfires are for display only.
• Jumping over the bonfire or general horseplay near the fire will not be allowed.
• There is no electricity at the bonfire site.
• There are no restroom facilities at the bonfire site.
• Alcohol is NOT permitted at the bonfire site.

For questions, contact Jamie Wilson at 260-481-6269 or [email protected].

Fire Pit

In general, a fire pit is an outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial or recreational purposes. The following guidelines shall be followed when a group or organization plans to use the fire pit on the PFW Campus.

• Fire pit is for use by campus groups or organizations only. Use of fire pit by external entities is not permitted.

        o             Student organizations utilizing the fire pit are required to have their advisor or other faculty/staff                               member on site for duration  of event.

• Screen must be closed while fire is burning
• Persons using the fire pit will supply their own wood – recommend using DuraFlame (or similar) fire logs
• No items other than wood should be burned in the fire pit
• Maximum burn time is 3 hours
• Accelerants such as lighter fluid are prohibited
• A 3 gallon bucket (minimum) of water is required near fire pit. A 5 gallon bucket or active hose is preferred. Special Events will arrange for bucket with Grounds Department.
• Grounds department will dispose of ashes the next day when cool.
• The area near the Mastodon Way between Walb Union and the Friends Pavilion is the only on-campus approved site for the Fire Pit.
• The Fire pit area can be reserved here: www.pfw.edu/scheduling-form
• After reservation request is approved, Special Events will arrange with Grounds Department to have fire pit placed in the approved location for the event.
• Grounds will provide hose access to Walb Union. Special Events will arrange to check out a key to the hose spigot for the client reserving the fire pit.
• Jumping over the fire pit or general horseplay near the fire will not be allowed.
• There is no electricity at the fire pit site.
• Alcohol is NOT permitted at the fire pit site.

For questions, contact Jamie Wilson at 260-481-6269 or [email protected].