How to Obtain an Open Burning Permit

Open Burning Season is January 15 - May 1, inclusive.

Open Burning Permits are obtained at the Fire-EMS Headquarters, located at 13 Elm Street.

Fire-EMS Headquarters Hours are 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday.  During Open Burning season,  Fire-EMS Headquarters are also open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 am -noon.

The fee for an Open Burning Permit is currently $20.00

Fire-EMS Headquarters Non-Emergency:  978-597-8150 

You MUST:

• Obtain a permit for Open Burning from the Fire-EMS Headquarters before you can burn.

• Call the Fire-EMS Headquarters each day you want to burn, between 9:00 am and12:00 noon, before you start burning, give them your address and Burning Permit number.  (There is no burning allowed on windy or breezy days.)

• Begin burning between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon.

• Have an adequate water supply (garden hose) immediately available at your burn site.

• Have a RESPONSIBLE ADULT ATTEND THE FIRE AT ALL TIMES.

• Have your fire COMPLETELY OUT by 4:00 pm.  (Thoroughly soak and stir all coals repeatedly, and check back after an hour or so, to make sure it's out)

• Burn only yard waste: fallen branches, prunings, raspberry canes, etc.

You MUST NOT:

• Leave the fire unattended - even for a minute

• Allow the fire to grow too big or too high to control

• Burn within 75 feet of a structure

• Burn trash, debris, paper, tires, leaves, grass, hay, pine needles, stumps, or flammable liquids.

• Use chemical accelerants, such as gasoline

For full rules, please refer to your Burning Permit.  The rules are here for everyone's safety, but common sense goes a long way - disregard either, and you're playing with fire!

For more information, please visit the Fire Department (Non Emergency)  Phone 978-597-8150