Illinois fire marshal warns on grilling

Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow used the run-up to Memorial Day weekend to issue a public warning about grill fires, burn injuries and unsafe cookout setups. A May 22 advisory from the Office of the State Fire Marshal said the holiday weekend is one of the busiest periods for outdoor cooking, campfires and recreational travel in Illinois. The office told residents to inspect grills before use, keep them away from homes and deck railings, and check local rules before lighting small recreational fires. The warning was aimed at backyard gatherings and other holiday-weekend cookouts as the summer grilling season begins. ### Why did Illinois issue the warning before Memorial Day weekend? Memorial Day weekend was described by the Illinois fire marshal’s office as the unofficial start of summer and a period of heavier outdoor-fire risk. The advisory said more grilling, campfires and portable heat sources during the holiday can increase calls for first responders. (illinois.gov) Michele Pankow said prevention should come before those calls. “First responders are prepared for increased calls during holiday weekends, but prevention is always the best response,” she said in the state release, which also urged residents to inspect and clean grills before using them this summer. ### What risks did the fire marshal highlight? (illinois.gov) The Illinois advisory said an average of 21,682 patients per year went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills. The office also pointed to National Fire Protection Association data showing that about 64% of U.S. households own at least one outdoor barbecue, grill or smoker. (illinois.gov) NFPA figures cited by the state said gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 home fires a year, including 4,682 structure fires and 4,605 outdoor fires. The state’s grilling-safety page said July is the peak month for grill fires, followed by June, May and August. ### What did Illinois tell people to do before lighting a grill? The state fire marshal’s office told residents to inspect and clean grills before the first cookout of the season. (illinois.gov) The guidance said grill users should check gas tanks and fuel lines for leaks, remove grease buildup, and make sure charcoal grills are fully cooled before disposal. (sfm.illinois.gov) Illinois also said grills should be used outdoors only and kept away from siding, deck railings, eaves and overhanging branches. The office told residents to keep children and pets away from the cooking area and to avoid leaving a lit grill unattended. ### What about food handling and putting out a fire? State guidance focused first on fire prevention, but local coverage of the advisory said residents were also urged to handle food safely during holiday cookouts. (illinois.gov) Reports on the Illinois warning said residents should keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby while grilling. (sfm.illinois.gov) The Illinois fire marshal’s office separately told residents to check local community rules on small recreational fires. That matters for people planning park gatherings, backyard fire pits or charcoal cooking in places where local restrictions may differ. ### Where can Illinois residents find the state’s full guidance? (wevv.com) The Office of the State Fire Marshal has posted a standing grilling-safety page on its website with seasonal reminders and fire data. The agency’s resources page lists Michele Pankow as state fire marshal and links to public-safety materials for Illinois residents. The Memorial Day advisory was issued on May 22, 2026, and remained reflected in state and local coverage on May 23 and May 24. (illinois.gov) Illinois residents planning cookouts later this summer can find the same grilling-safety guidance on the fire marshal’s website as peak grill-fire months approach in June and July. (sfm.illinois.gov)