The Honolulu Fire Department offers the following Monthly Safety Tip for August 2008:

HFD investigates reports of smoke to determine if a fire exists. While some fires are allowed or authorized under state and county regulations, most are unauthorized.

When the HFD encounters an unauthorized fire, the fire captain will request that the fire be extinguished or have the fire crew extinguish it. If the fire is allowed, the captain must determine if the fire is properly contained and not a nuisance to others.

Examples of unauthorized fires include bonfires on public beaches, burning of household refuse and the burning of yard waste.

Fires that are allowed when conducted safely and contained properly include cooking fires — including barbeques, grills, or imu — and bathing fires, including a fire to heat a furo.

Safe and proper conditions for cooking or bathing fires are as follows:

• The fire must be built In a safe location away from combustible materials, such as a structure or vegetation which could cause the fire to spread.

• Conditions must be safe. Strong winds or dry weather conditions are unsuitable and could cause the fire to spread.

• Proper safety protection must be within reach. A garden hose or fire extinguisher should be available for use at outdoor fires.

• The fires should be properly supervised. A responsible person who knows how to control the fire should be present until the fire is extinguished.

Remember, even an authorized fire can become a nuisance if the smoke inconveniences others. You may be asked to move or extinguish the fire if complaints are received by the fire department. If you are making an imu, plan ahead and talk to your neighbors so they know what to expect. Call the HFD's Fire Communication Center at 523-4411 at least 10, but not more than 20 minutes, prior to igniting an imu.