The State determines 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. To apply or activate your burn permit, please visit the Burn Permit website.
Starting the Fire
Start the fire using either small amounts of kerosene, #2 fuel (not gasoline), or use a pressurized burner which uses diesel fuel.
While Burning
Someone must attend the fire until completely extinguished. Have available a water supply, such as a pressurized water pump can or hose, and shovels or rakes for controlling the fire.
Extinguishing the Fire
Burn the fire down to coals and spread the coals with snow, water, sand, or soil.
The only times a permit is not necessary are:
All open burning must be conducted during periods of good atmospheric ventilation without causing a nuisance, as determined by DEP. The burning of any material out-of-doors releases large amounts of carbon monoxide and other gaseous and solid substances directly into the atmosphere. Open burning causes air pollution and aggravates respiratory problems under poor atmospheric conditions, open burning creates a smoke and odor nuisance – as well as a health threat – to area residents, especially in densely populated areas. For these reasons, open burning is restricted in Massachusetts.
Burning (with a permit) of the following material is ALLOWED:
Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations between January 15th May 1st under the following conditions:
Open Burning prohibited state wide for the following:
Open burning permits authorizes you to burn. It’s your responsibility to keep the fire under control.