Got a huge pile of fallen tree branches from recent wind storms in your backyard? You may be relieved to learn burning season is nearly here.
Open burning season starts in Massachusetts Monday, Jan. 15 and runs through Wednesday, May 1, according to the state Department of Fire Services website.
Dighton Fire Chief Christopher Maguy recommends people burn sooner than later in that time frame, since it tends to get windier later in the spring, according to a press release sent out on behalf of the Dighton Fire Department. Open burning is only allowed any given day if weather conditions are ideal.
Most communities in Massachusetts allow open burning, but the state fire warden determines each day if it’s safe, according to the Department of Fire Services. Residents have to get an open permit from their local fire department, if burning is allowed that day.
According to the state, open burning must be done:
- Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Jan. 15 to May 1
- At least 75 feet from all dwellings
- As close as possible to the source of the material being burned
- When air quality is acceptable for burning. (Call the MassDEP Air Quality Hotline at 800-882-1497 or visit MassAir Online for air quality status.)
What can you burn in Massachusetts?
- 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
What can’t you burn in Massachusetts?
- 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
There are 22 densely built and populated communities in Massachusetts that never allow open burning, according to the state.
Open burning is never allowed in these communities
- Arlington
- Belmont
- Boston
- Brookline
- Cambridge
- Chelsea
- Chicopee
- Everett
- Fall River
- Holyoke
- Lawrence
- Lowell
- Malden
- Medford
- New Bedford
- Newton
- Somerville
- Springfield
- Waltham
- Watertown
- West Springfield
- Worcester
