The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and our local fire departments limit open burning for public health and safety reasons.
Open burning is allowed in Plympton and Halifax from January 15 to May 1, with permits available at no charge at the fire station beginning January 1. You must have a permit issued by the fire department in advance.
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.
You must also be sure air quality conditions are acceptable for burning by calling the Massachusetts DEP Air Quality Hotline at (617) 556-1021 or by visiting the MassAir Online website at http://public.dep.state.ma.us/MassAir.
Only Certain Materials Can Be Burned
• Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations, agricultural materials such as fruit tree and bush prunings, raspberry stalks, 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.
Call For Help Immediately if a fire gets out of control. People conducting illegal burning, or who allow a fire to get out of control, may be held liable for the costs of extinguishing the fire in addition to fines or imprisonment (M.G.L. c.48, s.13).
See the Massachusetts web site for complete information www.mass.gov/doc/safety-tips-for-open-burning