Open Burning is not permitted until January 15, 2026.
Obtaining a permit is not necessary, however all rules & regulations listed below must be adhered to or burning privileges will be revoked.
Open burning is allowed January 15 through May 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The decision to burn is not made until after 9:30 a.m. each day depending on weather conditions. No open burning less than 75 feet away from all dwellings.
The decision to burn is made by the Department of Environmental Protection. The Department of Environmental Protection will determine when adverse meteorological conditions including rain, fog or snow (smoke tends to stay low to the ground) prohibit open burning.
Each day that you wish to burn, either call or access COMM’s website to determine if burning will be permitted. (508) 771-2089 (recording) OR (508) 771-2471 (recording).
DO NOT CALL BEFORE 9:30 a.m. All fires must be extinguished by 4:00 p.m.
Burning of the following material is allowed:
- Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations
- Materials normally associated with the pursuit of agriculture such as fruit tree prunings, dead raspberry stalks, blueberry patches for pruning purposes and infected beehives for disease control
- Trees and brush resulting from agricultural land clearing
- Fungus infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal is available
Burning of the following material is prohibited:
- Brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing operations
- Grass, hay, leaves, stumps and tires
- Construction material and debris
Starting the fire:
- Never add brush that is green or wet. It will reduce the efficiency of the fire and produce thick smoke.
- Someone must attend the fire until it’s completely out. You will need a hose or other supply of water and a shovel or rake for controlling the fire
While burning:
- Never add brush that is green or wet. It will reduce the efficiency of the fire and produce thick smoke.
- Someone must attend the fire until it’s completely out. You will need a hose or other supply of water and a shovel or rake for controlling the fire
Putting the fire out:
- Burn the fire down to the coals, drown them with water, spread them out, then drown them again