03/27/2026
Chometz Burning Sites & Fire Safety
With the Pesach Holiday season upon us, the Township of Howell, Howell Township Fire Service, and the Howell Township Bureau of Fire Prevention remind the community to be mindful of the following hazards to ensure a safe Chometz Burning experience. In an effort to prevent unauthorized burns throughout the Township, Howell Township Officials have once again established a centralized location to ensure Township residents have the means to participate with fire safety provisions in place to ensure a safe experience for everyone involved.
This year’s location will once again take place within the Soldier Memorial Park on April 1, 2026, between 8:30 am – 12:00 pm. The Township of Howell encourages participants to only use sites that have been pre-designated and authorized by local officials.
• When attending these Chometz Burn Sites, the Fire Department asks that only Chometz which must be burned as required be placed in the burn sites. We have seen people throw all types of garbage into the fires in previous years. This contributes to larger-than-necessary fires that increase the risk of injury.
• DO NOT throw any flammable or combustible items into the fire or any bottles, both glass and plastic, as these may explode and lead to glass and metal shards being expelled into the crowd.
• DO NOT throw any cans (i.e., baked beans, soups, etc.) into the fire as these may explode and lead to hot liquid being expelled into the crowd.
• DO NOT wrap your bread in silver foil, as it will not burn.
• Maintain a safe distance of at least 15 feet to avoid the risk of injury or exposure to flames. A sudden wind direction change can result in the fire changing direction.
• Children should always remain supervised to prevent accidents or burns.
• Follow the instructions from the firefighters, move away from the fire once items have been thrown in to keep the area close to the fire from overcrowding.
• The Fire Department would like to remind everyone that unauthorized burns are illegal. However, if you must burn the Chometz on your own, only use a portable, outdoor, solid-fuel burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay, or other noncombustible material. Fireplaces (i.e., fire pits, chimeneas, charcoal barbecue grills, etc.) shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall not be placed within 15 feet of a structure (i.e., house, shed, deck, etc.) or combustible material. Do not leave barbecue grills unattended, and keep children as well as pets away. Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing when igniting and using a fireplace. Make sure fireplaces are extinguished before leaving.
• In case of a burn injury, cool the burn with cool running water for 3-5 minutes and seek medical attention.
• In case of Emergency Dial 911.
