Volunteer Fire Department
Town of
Open Burning Season Starts January 15 and Ends
May 1
Open burning season is allowed from January 15 to
May 1 each year.
Permit Required from Fire Department/Fire Chief
A permit must be obtained by calling the fire
department at 566-3314. You may call between the hours
of 9 AM and noon on the day you wish to burn.
The fire department uses the following factors to determine
if permits will be issued on a particular day: 1)
environmental air quality conditions – no permits will be
issued when air quality is or is predicted to deteriorate
due to air pollutants; 2) forest fire conditions – no
permits will be issued when conditions favor the spread of
an uncontrolled fire, such as dry or windy conditions; 3)
level of personnel – the Hampden Fire Department is staffed
by volunteers – no permits will be issued on days when
department personnel availability is low.
Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially in the
spring, and the Fire Chief will determine on a daily basis
when open burning permits may be issued. If winds kick up or
other atmospheric conditions change suddenly, making it
unsafe to burn, permits can be rescinded. You must call
in each day to see if burning will be allowed.
The open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from all
buildings and may only be conducted between the hours of 10
a.m. and 4 p.m.
Burning, with a permit for the following
materials is allowed:
·
Brush and forestry debris (less than
4 inches in diameter) 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
bee hives for disease control.
·
Fungus infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means
of disposal is available.
Burning of the following materials is prohibited
statewide:
·
Brush, trees or other materials
generated by commercial and/or industrial land clearing
operations.
·
Logs or branches greater than 4 inches in diameter.
·
Grass, hay, leaves and stumps, trash
and tires, etc.
·
Construction material and debris.
How to Safely Ignite the Fire
An adult should always be present during open
burning and children and pets should be kept a safe distance
away.
Use paper and kindling to start the fire and add
progressively larger pieces of wood. Parts of a leftover
Christmas tree may also be used.
Safety Tips for Open Burning Season
·
Never use gasoline, kerosene or any
other flammable liquid to start a fire because the risk of
personal injury is high.
·
Burn one small pile at a time and
slowly add to it. This will help keep the fire from getting
out of control.
·
Select a location away from any
utility lines.
Fire Must Be Attended Until Extinguished
While the fire is burning, an adult must attend the
fire until it is completely extinguished.
Have Fire Control Tools On Hand
Have fire extinguishment materials on hand
including a water supply, shovels and rakes.
The water supply could be a pressurized water fire
extinguisher, a pump can or garden hose, and be sure to test
it out before igniting the fire. You do not want to find out
that the water is still shut-off at the house faucet or that
the hose is cracked when you need it most.
Watch the Wind: Be Prepared to Extinguish All
Open Burning
Be prepared to extinguish your fire if the winds
pick up or weather changes. Use common sense and don't wait
for the fire department to contact you that it has become
unsafe to burn. Sudden wind change is how most open burning
gets out of control.
Don't Delay a Call For Help
If for some reason, the fire should get out of
control, call the fire department immediately.
Use the utmost caution to prevent injury to yourself or
family members or any damage by fire to your home.
People conducting illegal burning, or who allow a fire to
get out of control, may be held liable for costs of
extinguishing the fire, fined and even imprisoned (MGL C48
S13).
April is the Cruelest Month
April is usually the worst month for brush fires.
When the snow pack recedes, before new growth emerges, last
year's dead grass, leaves and wood are dangerous tinder.
Winds also tend to be stronger and more unpredictable during
April. For these reasons April has the fewest days
that qualify for permits.
Prevent Wildfires By Burning During Wet Snowy
Conditions
Prevent permit fires from becoming wildland fires
by burning early in the season. Wet and snowy winter
conditions, hinder the rapid spread of fire on or under the
ground. Weather conditions and increased fire danger may
lead to many days when burning cannot be allowed to take
place.
Alternatives to Open Burning
Open burning releases large amounts of carbon
dioxide, other gases, and solid substances directly into the
air, which can contribute to respiratory problems. Disposal
of natural materials is never as good for the environment as
using them again in a different form. Tree limbs, brush and
other forestry debris can be chipped or composted into
landscaping material.
Overview
Members
Mike Gorski, Chief