Open Air Burning
General Information
- Open burning season is from January 15 through May 1 each year.
- Burning must be conducted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Fires shall not be started before 10 a.m. and shall be fully extinguished by 4 p.m.
- Burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from all dwellings.
Burning, with a permit for the following materials is allowed:
- Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations.
- Materials normally associated with the pursuit of agriculture such as fruit tree prunings, dead raspberry stalks, blueberry patches for pruning purposes, and infected bee hives for disease control.
- Trees and brush resulting from agricultural land clearing.
- Fungus infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal is available.
Burning of the following materials is prohibited statewide:
- Brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing operations.
- Grass, hay, leaves and stumps, and tires.
- Construction material and debris.
Prior to conducting any burning, a permit must be obtained by applying in person at the center fire station. Permits are available starting on January 15th each year. A five dollar fee is charged. Once issued, the open air burning permit remains in effect for the entire burning season-expiring on May 1 at 4 p.m., and must be renewed on a daily basis.
Each day a permit holder wishes to burn, he/she must contact the Fire Department to activate the permit. Prior to allowing any burning, if the DEP advises that the air quality forecast is suitable, the Fire Chief or his designee will determine if it is safe to conduct open burning. If winds kick up or other atmospheric conditions change suddenly, making it unsafe to burn, permits can be rescinded.
For more information or any questions, call the Fire Department at 508-278-2787.