Intent: It is the intent of the city that citizens shall have the opportunity to have recreational fires at single-family and two-family dwellings provided that such fires are in strict compliance with restrictions relating to recreational fires. 

A recreational fire is a small, outdoor fire intended for recreation or cooking.

No recreational fire may be started or allowed to continue burning unless such recreational fire is contained in a fire pit.

Only clean, dry wood or untreated and unpainted lumber is permitted to fuel a recreational fire.  If anything else is used, the fire department may respond and extinguish the fire and a citation may be issued. 

Any property owner who wishes to have a recreational fire must obtain a permit from the City Clerk.  The fee for a recreational fire is $30 for a 5 year permit.

In the City of Wausau, recreational fires are prohibited when the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources classifies fire danger at the "Very High" or "Extreme" levels, although they could be terminated at the "High" level as well. If you have questions regarding recreational fires, please call our Fire Marshal at (715) 261-7900.

You can visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources page for current fire danger levels, and the DNR's Burning Permit Restrictions Map for Marathon County. You can also call 1-888-WIS-BURN (947-2876) for daily restrictions.

For more detailed information regarding the ordinance and/or how to obtain a permit, please click on the link on the right side of this page.