MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Sitting around an open fire is a common outdoor activity. In order to burn a fire pit on your property in Meridian Township, you must obtain a burning permit. Meridian Township Fire Inspector Tavis Millerov went over some safety tips, and how to get a burning permit so residents can enjoy a fun and safe summer.

Whether you build your own, or purchase a commercial fire pit, the rule remains the same; it cannot be larger than 36 inches wide, which is about 3 feet from end to end. Millerov explained there isn't a rule on how deep a fire pit can be, but warns against digging it too deep. Millerov said, "if you start going down a foot, maybe even only 10 inches or more, you're really going to start stifling that air flow a fire needs to bring out at the bottom and come out at the top. And once you start stifling that air flow all you're going to get is a bunch of smoke."

When you are ready to start a fire, Meridian Township's Ordinance states that burning lawn trimmings, leaves, etc. is not allowed. Millervo says fire pits are only meant to burn cut-seasoned firewood. Seasoned wood means the wood is completely dry. A common mistake people make is burning the wrong materials, which leads to the Meridian Township Fire Department having to come to your house and put out the fire.

Registering your fire pit and obtaining a burning permit can be done right from your computer. If you visit Meridian Township's website, and click on the Fire Department, you can pull up a list of rules and regulations for fire pits and fill out the permit. Once that's done Millerov said depending on your fire pit the Fire Department will know if and when they need to come out for an inspection.

Burning permits are free, but do expire every year.