Am I allowed to have a backyard campfire?

The burning of wood in a campfire, bonfire, chiminea or other similar devices is prohibited if the burning is conducted so that it creates a nuisance for neighbors or it is in violation of any restrictions imposed on such burning by the office of the fire marshal. Incomplete combustion that typically occurs when wood is burned in a campfire, bonfire, fire pit, chiminea or similar device can create large amounts of smoke and un-burnt particulate matter; this pollutes the air and can make it difficult for people with respiratory problems to breathe, particularly in densely populated areas. Excessive smoke emitted into the atmosphere at ground level can be a nuisance to your neighbors. A nuisance is considered to be the unreasonable, unwarranted, or unlawful use of one’s property in a manner that substantially interferes with the use or enjoyment of another individual’s real property, without an actual trespass or physical invasion to the land. 

Campfire, bonfire, or chimineas shall be constantly monitored and are NOT ALLOWED to be left unattended. Only dry, properly cured and untreated wood shall be used. Burning is not allowed if air pollution levels are high due to stagnation and inversion. They are not used for waste disposal purposes, and they have a total fuel area of no more than three feet in diameter and are no higher than two feet.

Air pollution levels can be checked at- https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid=7

*NOTE - Open burning of residential brush requires a Burning Permit signed by The Essex Fire Marshal.