Recently, the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department responded to an unauthorized bonfire on our Hill Campus.
Per the Code of the Village of Potsdam, bonfires on Clarkson property shall be by permit only in approved areas, and Clarkson has very limited allowances from the Village for such recreational fires. We have experienced devastating fire damage to our campus forests on more than one occasion due to improperly extinguished campfires.
The Village of Potsdam reserves the right to impose fines for failure to comply with this issue, with additional penalties enforced by Clarkson’s Environmental Health & Safety Department.
If you are aware of any existing bonfire locations on campus, please submit a work order for their removal to our Grounds Department, or contact Joe McGill, Safety Manager for assistance at jmcgill@clarkson.edu / 315-742-2638. Common locations have traditionally included wooded areas and along our trail systems.
