Open Burning Regulations
PLEASE CALL (508) 996-1596 BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. AND 12:00 P.M.
ON THE DAY YOU WISH TO BURN
Note: District 1 Residents must check in annually permits status.
Burn Permit Season - January 15 - May 1
OPEN BURNING REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Open burning under poor atmospheric conditions can create a smoke nuisance, aggravate health and respiratory conditions. If not done properly and controlled, it can also endanger life, property, and woodlands. For these reasons, open burning is closely regulated in Massachusetts by multiple regulatory organizations.
You must obtain a PERMIT for any open burning from the the Fire District in which you reside.
There is no permit fee for the season which runs from January 15th through May 1st annually. ( Previously stated April 30 )
Burning rules include:
- Brush, cane, driftwood, forestry debris, agriculture-related materials, agricultural land clearing only, and fungus-infected elmwood are allowed under the following conditions:
1. Burning must be at least 75 feet from any dwellings.
2. Burning must be carried out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
3. Burning must take place on land closest to the source of the material to be burned.
Burning of the following materials is PROHIBITED and may subject you to revocation of your permit and/or a fine:
- Grass, hay, leaves, and stumps
- Tires
- Construction materials and lumber
Also prohibited is:
- Failure to obtain a burning permit.
- Failure to fully extinguish the fire by 4 p.m. daily.
- Failure to control/contain the fire.
EACH day of burning, you must: District 1 residents:
- Call (508) 996-1596 to activate your permit. This must be done between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m..
- When requested, leave your name, address and assigned permit number.
- Have a means of controlling the fire, such as a garden hose, pressurized water pump, shovels and rakes, with sufficient help.
- Attend fire at all times.
- Extinguish the fire fully by 4 p.m.
The Fire Chief maintains the right to revoke any permits or to cancel any permits due to high forest fire danger or to deny a permit to any person who he believes will not follow the Open Burning Requirements and Responsibilities or to any person who has violated these requirements in the past.
Whoever violates any provision of 527 CMR 10.22 shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 plus the cost of suppression or by imprisonment for not more than one month.