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You are here: Home / Press Releases / A Reminder from Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire: Open Burning Season Runs Jan. 15 to May 1

Jun 17 2020

A Reminder from Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire: Open Burning Season Runs Jan. 15 to May 1

For questions about open burning or to obtain your burn permit for the next burn season, call the fire department at 978-465-4427.

Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire reminds Newburyport residents that open burning season has now ended, and no open burning or burning of brush or yard debris may take place at this time.

From the State Department of Environmental Protection:

Open Burning Permits & Restrictions

Open burning is allowed from mid-winter to early spring across most of Massachusetts.

State fire wardens determine each day whether conditions are safe for open burning. Weather and air quality can change rapidly, especially in the spring, and fire departments can rescind permits when that happens.

Open burning must be done:

  • Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from January 15 to May 1
  • At least 75 feet from all buildings 
  • As close as possible to the source of material being burned
  • When air quality is acceptable for burning. Call the MassDEP Air Quality Hotline at (800) 882-1497 or visit MassAir Online to find out if it is.

Additional Resources

Safety Tips for Open Burning (PDF 211.91 KB)
Why Does MassDEP Prohibit Open Burning on “No Burn” Days? (PDF 172.98 KB)
Outdoor Wood Fired Boilers and Outdoor Wood Burning Devices 11/1/2010 (PDF 143.92 KB)

What are the Alternatives to Open Burning?

While still allowed in most Massachusetts towns and cities, open burning has disadvantages.

The combustion process releases carbon dioxide, other gases, and solid substances directly into the air. This can make it difficult for people with respiratory problems to breathe. It can also cause smoke and odor nuisance conditions for neighbors.

Disposing of natural materials is never as good for the environment as recycling them. Ask your public works or solid waste department if your community chips or composts natural debris into landscaping material.

Outdoor cooking is allowed year-round in all communities and is not subject to open burning limits.

What about Fire Pits?

Fire pits have become popular in recent years. But unless they are being used  for cooking, they are subject to the MassDEP open burning regulation. If you do use a fire pit for cooking, the fire must be:

  • Kept to a reasonable size
  • Located away from combustible materials
  • Contained in a non-flammable enclosure, and
  • Tended by someone who is 18 years of age or older.

Remember to burn only clean, dry firewood. This will minimize the amount of smoke leaving your property and affecting neighbors. You may not burn trash, refuse or similar materials.

For questions about open burning or to obtain your burn permit for the next burn season, call the fire department at 978-465-4427.

Written by John Guilfoil · Categorized: Press Releases

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