Fire

The Prior Lake Fire Department is committed to providing the highest quality emergency response, fire suppression, and fire prevention education to the cities of Prior Lake, Credit River, and Spring Lake Township, while maintaining environmental preservation. We promote health and safety for our members and the community, foster partnerships with our neighbors, and demonstrate professionalism through continuous improvement.

The Fire Department provides fire, rescue, and EMS service to the residents and businesses that encompass the three communities which span 74 square miles and serve a combined population that nears 40,000.

For years, the Fire Department operated with paid-on-call firefighters who live within the Department service area. The Department still relies on those on-call firefighters, but as of July 2, 2023, the Department moved to a full-time model.

The Department operates out of two fire stations and provides 24-hour service to the cities of Prior Lake, Credit River, and Spring Lake Township.

BURN PERMIT

The City of Prior Lake, The City of Credit River, and Spring Lake Township require an approved Burning Permit for any open burning larger than 3’x3’ in diameter. The Burning Permits are designed for residential property only. Please follow the directions provided on this informational sheet and your approved Burning Permit. By signing your Burning Permit, you agree to all rules and regulations set forth by the State of Minnesota and the Prior Lake Fire Department.
The Fire Department and/or Law Enforcement have the right to refuse, cancel, or revoke Burning Permits at any time.

Burning Permits: The fee for approved Burn Permits is $20.00 and is valid for up to one month. Once the pile has been burnt the Permit is expired. Please make your check payable to the City of Prior Lake. The fee is used to offset the cost of processing your Burning Permit with the Fire Marshal and City Staff. Burning Permit applications are available at Prior Lake City Hall and on our website at www.priorlakemn.gov. Burning Permit approval may take up to 5 business days. If your Burning Permit is denied, you will receive an explanation why and your fee will be returned to you. Per State fire code, burn piles must be AT LEAST 25 feet away from structures or other combustible material. You must always have an approved fire extinguisher (preferably a hose or water source) readily available. Please do not burn during windy or dry conditions. MN DNR Burn Restrictions Supersede all Prior Lake Restrictions.

Prohibited materials include grass clippings, leaves, hay/straw, oils, rubber, plastics, tires and chemically treated materials, such as railroad ties, treated lumber, composite shingles, tar paper, insulation, composition board, sheet rock, general construction material, furniture of any kind, wiring, paint, hazardous and industrial solid waste.

NO burning barrels allowed.

Prairie Grass Burns (running fires): Contact the DNR Forestry at (507) 765-2740 for variance approval of prairie grass burns. If DNR approval is granted, attach a copy of the DNR permit to the City of Prior Lake Burning Permit for Fire Department review.
For prairie grass burns or running fires, you must have a parcel/property area this is 2 or more acres in size and the area you are burning must be at least 1/2 acre in size. You must contract with a company specializing in prescribed burning and the burn must have pre-approval from the MN DNR Forestry Office. The site must meet the above requirements before a burning permit is reviewed or approved.

Recreational Fires: Burning Permits are not required for recreational fires that are 3’x3’ or less in diameter. The only materials permitted in a recreational fire are wood from trees, small branches, or charcoal. Per State Fire Code, a recreational fire must be at least 25 feet from any structure or other combustible materials. The fire must be attended at all times, and you must always have an approved fire extinguisher (hose or bucket of water) readily available. Please do not burn during windy or dry conditions.

The Prior Lake Fire Department, along with the Department of Natural Resources, encourages you to seek other alternatives such as chipping and/or composting. Remember AIR QUALITY is important to everyone, and we thank you for your cooperation.

For more information or questions please contact Prior Lake Fire Marshal at 952-440-3473

Per Scott County Solid Waste Ordinance:

Although MN 88.171 allows the burning of untreated lumber; because all county residents have reasonable access to disposal and recycling for clean untreated lumber, the Scott County Solid Waste Ordinance prohibits the burning of any material other than vegetation for disposal (material prohibited that may be allowed elsewhere includes agricultural buildings, pallets, construction and demolitions debris, paper, cardboard, etc.)
Some burn permits still reference MN 17.135 which implies that paper or cardboard may be burned. Scott County passed a resolution in 1989 prohibiting the burning of all garbage, to include paper and cardboard, as all residents have reasonable access to local recycling and garbage service at their homes and farms.
MN 88.17 allows for a special permit for the operation of a permanent tree and brush burning site… if trees, tree trimmings, or brush cannot be disposal of by an alternative method such as chipping or composting. Since everyone in Scott County has reasonable access to chipping or composting facilities for tree waste, Scott County has prohibited the burning of vegetation brought in from off site for burning by businesses.

For any burning restrictions please check the website below:

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html

Burn Permit:

Burning Permit for Scott County

CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY

CAR SEAT INSPECTION/FITTING REQUEST

FAQs

Are permits required for recreational fires?

No. Burn permits are not required for recreational fires that are 3’x3’ or less in diameter. The only materials permitted in a recreational fire is wood from trees, small branches, or charcoal.

Yard waste such as leaves and grass cannot be burned in recreational fires.

Recreational fires must be at least 25 feet away from structures or other combustible material and should be in an approved fire ring or outdoor fireplace. An approved fire extinguisher or garden hose must always be available, and fires are required to be fully extinguished when not attended. Recreational fires during windy or dry conditions or during state mandated burning bans are not permitted. Burn permits are required for any open burning larger than 3’x3’ in diameter.
Carbon Monoxide

A carbon monoxide (CO) is colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is rarely noticed and can be fatal. A CO detector is a device that detects the presence of carbon monoxide and sounds an alarm when dangerous CO levels develop. Install CO alarms on every level of the home and outside every bedroom to prevent being overcome by poisoning while sleeping.

CO detectors should be replaced every 5-7 years from the date of manufacture, which can usually be located on the back of your CO detector. Replace the batteries in your CO detector every six months when you change your smoke detector batteries. If the alarm “chirps" to warn the batteries are low, replace the batteries immediately.

Symptoms of CO poisoning can range from headache, nausea and ringing in ears to lethargy or losing consciousness, as well as eye and skin irritation. If you experience these symptoms consistently, immediately seek medical help.
How to become a paid on-call Prior Lake Firefighter

Firefighters are selected through a competitive application process. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or GED, have a valid driver license, reside within the Prior Lake Fire Department service area and live within a reasonable distance of Fire Station 1 or 2. All applicants must pass an interview process, a physical ability test, a criminal/DL background check, a pre-employment drug test, and an occupational physical.

Check the City’s Employment Opportunities to determine if the City is currently seeking firefighter applications.

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