Chief Bryan LaCivita and the Raynham Fire Department would like to remind residents that open burning season begins Saturday, Jan. 15 and runs through May 1. A permit is required to open burn in compliance with Massachusetts law.
Burning permits from previous seasons do not carry over from year to year. All residents need to re-apply for a seasonal permit online by visiting this website.
Residents applying for a permit will be asked to log in with their viewpoint ID credentials. If they do not already have an account, one can be created on the secure portal.
Residents must obtain permission from the Raynham Fire Department on the day they wish to burn by calling 508-824-2754 and listening to the prerecorded message. The requirement to check in each day before burning is based on changing atmospheric and weather conditions such as wind or air dryness.
Open Burning:
Burning must be done:
- Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., from Jan. 15 to May 1
- At least 75 feet from all buildings
- When air quality is acceptable for burning. Each day fire departments will determine 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.
- As close as possible to the source of material being burned
Residents are allowed to burn:
- Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris (but not from commercial or industrial land clearing)
- Agricultural materials including fruit tree and bush prunings, raspberry stalks, and infected bee hives for disease control
- Trees and brush from agricultural land clearing
- Fungus-infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal is available
Residents may not burn:
- Leaves
- Brush, trees, cane or driftwood from commercial or industrial land clearing
- Grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires
- Construction materials or demolition debris
- Household trash
What times are best for open burning?
- You can help prevent wildland fires by burning early in the season. Wet and snowy winter conditions help hinder the rapid spread of fire on or under the ground.
- Changing weather conditions and increased fire danger in spring can lead to many days when open burning is not allowed.
- April is usually the worst month for brush fires. When snow recedes, but before new growth emerges, last year’s dead grass, leaves and wood are dangerous tinder. Winds also tend to be strong and unpredictable in April.
For more information on open burning in Massachusetts, visit Mass.gov.
Violations of the permit requirements, open burning law and/or open burning regulations will be grounds for permit revocation. According to Massachusetts law, anyone found burning without a permit may be subject to criminal charges, the punishment for which is a fine of up to $500, plus the cost of suppression or by imprisonment for up to one month, or both.
If you have any questions about the open burn permitting process, please contact the Raynham Fire Department at 508-824-2713.
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