About the Department
Fireworks Safety
Fire Prevention Tips
Free Blood Pressure Checks
Fire Station Tours
Recreational Fires
Property Maintenance
Become a Firefighter
Become a Firefighter Explorer
Additional Contact Info
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Phone Numbers:
Emergency: 911
Fire Administrative offices: 763.706.8150
Inspections Office: 763.706.8156
Fax: 763.706.8151
Address: Columbia Heights Fire Department
825 41st Ave NE
Columbia Heights, MN 55421
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About the Department
Columbia Heights is served by a full-time professional staff, assisted by trained "volunteer", paid on-call personnel to provide immediate response 24 hours a day. There is no charge to residents for fire calls and emergency medical services. For emergencies call 911.
The Fire Department is located in the Public Safety Building. Main lobby hours are 8:00 to 4:45 pm. Mon. - Fri. Access after hours, and on weekends and holidays, is at the service door just west of the main building entry. Please ring the doorbell for service.
What to Do If There Is a Fire
When the smoke detector sounds or there is a fire in the home, leave immediately. Don't stop to grab possessions. Have all family members meet at the same place. Call 911 from a neighbor's house. When the Fire Department arrives, have one person come and let us know whether or not everyone is out of the building. DO NOT attempt to re-enter a burning structure!
Property Maintenance and Rental Property Licensing
The Fire Department conducts property maintenance inspections on all properties. These inspections include long grass and weeds, trash, outside storage, repairs to structures and annual residential rental licensing inspections. Click on the Property Maintenance link above for more information.
Tours of the Fire Station
Arrangements can be made for group tours of the fire station. Firefighters are regularly in the schools educating children in fire prevention and safety practices.
Free Blood Pressure Checks
Free blood pressure checks are performed at the fire station from 8:00am to 8:00pm seven days a week.
Recreational Fires
Permits are required for open recreational fires. Permits are needed for
ANY kind of open burning outside with the exception of barbeque grills
(This inlcudes enclosed wire mesh fire pits and clay pot fire pits).
There are two options. the first is a Daily permit, which is free of
charge (up to 9 per year) and the second option is an Annual permit,
which will cost $20 and is good until the end of December in the year
issued. To obtain a permit, an adult (18 years or older) must come in
person to the fire station. The permit MUST be on site while the fire is
burning and all rules must be followed. Open burning of grass, leaves,
cardboard, garbage, etc. is not allowed in the City of Columbia Heights. An adult must be in constant attendance during all burning.
Recreational fire requirements are as follows:
- Recreational Fires are not permitted on windy days when the smoke may create a nuisance for nearby neighbors.
- The fire must be contained in a manufactured freestanding fire pit or ring or pit not exceeding three (3) feet in diameter.
- All fire rings or pits must be located a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet away from any structures such as houses, garages and sheds. Manufactured enclosed freestanding fire pits must be located a minimum of ten (10) feet away from any structures such as houses, garages and sheds.
- ONLY clean, dry firewood may be burned (NO LEAVES, BUILDING MATERIALS, PLASTICS, ETC.)
- The fire must be constantly attended and supervised by an adult until the fire has been completely extinguished.
- · A connected garden hose or other means of extinguishment must be readily available. Police and Fire Department officers are authorized to require that a recreational fire be immediately extinguished and discontinued if it is determined that the fire is not in compliance with the above rules, the smoke is offensive to nearby neighbors, or the burning is determined to constitute a hazardous condition.
Use of gas or charcoal grills for cooking and normal use of fireplaces or wood stoves is not considered to be a "recreational fire" and is permitted without contacting the Fire Department.
The State Fire Code does not allow the use of barbecue grills, recreational fire devices, torches or anything that causes an open flame, on any balcony above ground level and on any ground floor patio within 15 feet of the building in properties that contain three or more units. The code also doesn't allow the storage of barbecue grills, torches etc. and lighting chemicals in these same areas.
How to Become a Firefighter
Paid On Call (also called "Volunteer firefighter) Come to the fire station and pick up an application packet or call (763) 706-8150. Training sessions are scheduled annually.
Email the Fire Department
General Fire Department information :
Fire@ci.columbia-heights.mn.us.
Questions regarding fire or housing inspections, or to make complaints regarding housing problems. FireInspections@ci.columbia-heights.mn.us.
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