S’mores and the City: The Rise of the Illegal Fire Pit
The New York Times
Backyard fires do wonders for socializing during a pandemic. But they pose deadly risks all the same.
This winter, David Graver was invited to an event that stood out for its camp-like nostalgia: a fire pit party at his friend’s house in Brooklyn, complete with s’mores.
“I thought it was a very charming invitation,” said Mr. Graver, 37, who is the editor of Cool Hunting, a publication that covers lifestyle and culture. “I spent my childhood making s’mores, and I didn’t think you could have this type of social gathering in the city.”
Mr. Graver was correct. For one thing, fire pits — somewhat ubiquitous in outdoor spaces during the colder months — are illegal in most parts of New York City. But last month, the City Council inched closer to accepting their presence when it introduced legislation to permit backyard fires in neighborhoods where there is detached or semidetached housing, including much of Staten Island and in areas like Riverdale, in the Bronx (zones R1, R2 and R3, to be specific; New Yorkers can find their residential zones here). Rules also stipulate that fire pits must be 10 feet away from combustible material and that windows and doors within 25 feet of them must remain closed.
