Coaldale council is taking the first step toward regulating burning in the borough.

During its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, council voted to advertise an ordinance that would prohibit open burning.

It would make burning of any type of rubbish illegal.

Under the ordinance, outdoor fires would only be permitted on private property if they are in a fire pit that is confined to a noncombustible container covered with mesh. Fire pits must be smaller than 3 feet in length and width.

The ordinance also requires that fires be at least 20 feet away from any structures and public or private right of way.

Additionally, fires in fire pits would only be permitted between the hours of 6 and 11 p.m. any day from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

“At all other times of the year, fires in fire pits may only be kindled on holidays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 5 and 10 p.m. All fires must be tended at all times until the fire is out,” the proposed ordinance notes.

Anyone who violates the ordinance faces a $50 fine for the first offense; $150 fine for the second offense, and a $500 fine for third and subsequent offenses. They would also be charged costs to extinguish or mitigate the fire.

Council could adopt the ordinance at its next meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 13 in borough hall.

One resident voiced concerns about a neighbor who burns large debris fires around the clock.

“God knows what he burns,” she said, saying the stench is overbearing. “I’m not against someone roasting marshmallows but he has 8-foot high fires and leaves them unattended.”

Councilwoman Claire Remington said the borough had a burning ordinance at one point.

“If we don’t have anything on record, they (police) can’t enforce it,” she said of the need for an ordinance.