By Kyle Peveto, Opinion Editor

University administrators sent an e-mail recently warning students against lighting fires at Lake Fort Phantom.

The mass message, written by Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, stressed the possibility of fines and citations given to those who break fire codes by lighting bonfires on city property.

“They have addressed several groups who have been having campfires and bonfires out by the lake,” Barnard said in an e-mail interview. “One group said they were an ACU club.”

The unknown club and others who have started fires at Fort Phantom have not been fined, but citations and fines will be levied in the future. Fort Phantom and other Abilene properties do not allow open fires because of fire codes enacted by the city.

Fire codes allow recreational fires-which may not exceed three feet in diameter or two feet in height-and bonfires with a permit said Ed Williams, fire marshal for the City of Abilene. Any fire on city property requires permission of the city.

“First of all, if you’re going to do open burning, be on your own property,” Williams said, “or have permission of the landowner.”

Bonfires permitted by the city require participants to keep water on-site and restrict burning to wood. It does not allow the burning of construction materials and certain flammable objects.

According to Barnard, an Abilene Lake Officer contacted his office over the matter.

“She wanted me to warn students,” he said, “as they believe our students do not know it is city property.”

Barnard said he thought it was fair to warn students before the authorities began to fine those involved.