Burning Permits

Burning Season is now Open!

Visit Salisbury Fire-Rescue for your burning permit!

 

Safety Tips for Open

Burning Season

Open burning season is from January 15 to May 1 each year in communiities where it is allowed.  Check with your local fire warden or fire chief.

Permit Required from Local Fire Warden/Fire Chief

A permit must be obtained from the local fire warden, usually the local fire chief.

Weather conditons can change rapidly, especially in the spring, and fire wardens will determine on a daily basis when 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  If winds kick up or other atmospheric conditions change suddenly, making it unsafe to burn, permits can be rescinded.

The open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from all buildings and must be conducted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and must take place on the land closest to the source of material to be burned, according to Department of Enviormental Protection regulations(310 CMR DEP 7.07).

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 lan clearing operations.
• Grass, hay, leaves and stumps, and tires.
• Construction materials and debris.

How to Safely Ignite the Fire

An adult should always be present during open burning and children and pets should be kept a safe distance away.

Use paper and kindling to start the fire and add progressively larger pieces of wood. Parts of a leftover Christmas tree may also be used.

Never use gasoline, kerosene or any other flammable liquid to start a fire because the risk of personal injury is high.

Burn one small pile at a time and slowly add to it.  This will keep the fire from getting out of control.

Select a location away from any utility lines.

Fire Must Be Attended Until Extinquished

While the fire is burning, an adult must attend the fire until it is completely extinguished.

Have Fire Control Tools On Hand

Have fire extinguishment materials on hand including a water supply, shovels and rakes.

The water supply could be a pressurized water fire extinguisher, a pump can or garden hose, and be sure to test it out before igniting the fire.  You do not want to find out that the water is not working, when you need it.