Where can I obtain a burn permit? What are the rules and regulations?

Burn permits may be obtained from the Office Of The Fire Marshal on the 3rd floor in Town Hall.

At this time there is no fee for burn permits. Burning can only be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays.

Restrictions:

The burning must not take place when national or state ambient air quality standards may be exceeded.

The burning must not take place where a hazardous health condition might be created or where there is an advisory from the DEEP Commissioner of any air pollution episode.

The burning must not take place when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is predicted to be 75 or higher in any town listed in the table entitled “Predicted Daily AQI Maximums".

The burning must not take place when the Forest Fire Danger Level is identified by DEEP as high, very high, or extreme.

The burning must not take place where prohibited by an ordinance of the municipality.

The burning must cease if so directed by any member of the town Fire Marshal's office, Officer of the Fire Department, designated Municipal Official responsible for enforcing the open burning laws and ordinances, or any official of the Health Department or DEEP.

Additional applicable conditions include but are not limited to:

Before the burn:

All reasonable safety precautions are to be taken including but not limited: to the clearing of grass and trees from the burning area, and wetting down of the surrounding area, and placement of fire extinguishers and hose lines.

During the burn:

All reasonable measures to assure complete combustion and reduce excessive smoke are to be taken.

At no time during the burn should the fire be left unattended.

The permit must be available on site during the burn.

Burning may not create a nuisance to nearby properties.

Burning may only be conducted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on a sunny or partly sunny day with the wind speed between 5 and 15 miles per hour. 

Completion of the burn period:

The burn pile must be completely extinguished by 5 p.m.

All embers and coals must be extinguished and wetted, so as to prevent smoldering and fugitive ash emissions.

Failure to adhere to the conditions of the permit may result in penalties and/or enforcement actions.