Hosting a Fire Pit Hang This Summer? Here’s How to Keep It Safe and Neighborly

Published on June 14, 2025

If you own a fire pit, your backyard is destined to be a popular gathering place amongst friends during the summer months, especially when s'mores are involved. But there are a few considerations hosts should take into account to keep their gathering cozy, safe, and neighborly. Follow these tips for using your fire pit responsibly this summer.

Know Your Local Laws

It's not the most exciting part of outdoor gatherings, but one of the most important things you can do as a host is make sure you and your guests aren't breaking the law. Check local laws to make sure recreational fires are permitted in your area.

Local ordinances will also outline any materials or fuels that may be prohibited from burning. And regardless of where you live, remember to never burn construction waste, plastic, garbage, or yard waste, which can be toxic.

Burn a Clean Fire

Your guests might be okay with smelling a little smoky post-fire, but your neighbors might not share that sentiment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers several tips for how to reduce pollution from a wood-burning fire:

• Make sure your wood is both dry and seasoned. Dry, seasoned wood burns hotter and cleaner than the alternative.
• Measure your fire's moisture with a moisture meter. The recommended moisture content for a wood-burning fire is about 20%.
• Never burn wood during air quality alert days—air pollution is already high without the smoke from your fire.
• Convert your fire pit into a natural gas or propane burner, both of which give off lower levels of airborne pollutants.
  
• Never burn green wood, which creates excess smoke.

Practice Safe Fire Management

A fire is cozy, yes, but it's still a fire. Once the flames are roaring, a responsible host should keep an eye on things to keep everyone safe. Don't ever leave a fire unattended, and make sure to keep a water source nearby. Plus, have a fire extinguisher handy.

Mind the Volume

Whether open flames are involved or not, any outdoor gathering should respect noise ordinances or curfews in effect. End your fire before your area's curfew and communicate your gathering's end time to guests so they know what to expect. If the party is still going strong when curfew arrives, move it inside. (Just make sure to transition to your inside voices.)

Be Inclusive

Part of being a good neighbor is intentionally connecting with the neighborhood. Once or twice this summer, invite neighbors over to enjoy the festivities, especially if you live in close quarters such as an apartment community. Your neighbor's feathers are less likely to be ruffled by your fire pit night if they're in on the fun.