Section 110.60  Camping – Campfires − Firewood

It shall be unlawful, on Department-owned, -leased or –managed property or facilities:

a)         For any person to use a tent or trailer, or any other type of camping device, except in designated camping areas. Persons camping in designated areas shall obtain a camping authorization slip from authorized site personnel as provided by 17 Ill. Adm. Code 130 or for encampments, approval of the Primitive Camping application and instructions as to where the approved applicant is permitted to camp.

b)         For any person to build any fire:

1)         in any area except in camp stoves provided by the Department or in charcoal or other types of metal grills furnished by the visitor at a specific designated campfire site; or

2)         where bans on open fires are posted by the Department.

c)         For any person to possess or discharge any type of fireworks or other explosive devices, including, but not limited to, model rockets or aerial displays, without a written permit issued by the Department.  The decision to grant or deny a permit will be based upon public safety, legal considerations, the impact on public use/enjoyment of parks, and the potential impact on natural resources, such as fire or the disturbance of nesting or feeding patterns.

d)           For any person to bring or possess on Department-owned, -leased or -managed properties firewood from any geographical area where wood exportation has been prohibited by either the State of Illinois or federal quarantine, in violation of 505 ILCS 90/22, or to sell or distribute firewood on Department-owned, -leased or -managed properties without prior written agreement with the Department pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 150.

e)         For any person to bring firewood onto Department-owned, -leased or -managed properties when the firewood was obtained from greater than 50 miles from the site unless it is U.S. Department of Agriculture certified wood or wood that is certified by an agency of the State of Illinois.  Firewood may not be brought into Illinois from any location outside of Illinois unless it is U.S. Department of Agriculture certified wood or wood certified by another state's regulatory agency.

f)           A Conservation Police Officer may confiscate any firewood brought onto Department-owned, -leased or -managed properties found to be in violation of this Section.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 12553, effective September 24, 2021)