Open Burning
15600
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Open Burning is not permitted until January 15, 2025.

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.

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.

Printable Version of Open Burning Rules and Regulations

In accordance with the regulations issued by the Department of Environmental Protection regarding open burning, the following rules apply:

  • With daily permission of the Department of Environmental Protection
  • Between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. However, as the fire danger increases in April, burning permits may be limited from 10:00 AM to 12 Noon
  • 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
  • No open burning less than 75 feet away from all dwellings
  • On your own property and as close as possible to the source of material(s) to be burned

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

Open Burning Guidelines

Starting the fire:

  • Try to start the fire with natural “kindling” – never with gasoline or charcoal lighter fluid

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

Open burning will be allowed only between the hours specified above and under atmospheric conditions specified by the Department of Environmental Protection. Violations of the above regulations can result in revocation of a permit and cancellation of open-burning for the remainder of the season. Questions? Call 508-790-2375 Option 5.

Michael J. Winn, Chief
C-O-MM Fire Department