The Department of Environmental Protection regulation (310 CMR DEP 7.07) allows open burning from January 15 to May 1 and is to be conducted between 10 am and 4 pm.

Open Burning Permits can be obtained at the Fire-EMS Central Station, located at 13 Elm Street 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday.  During Open Burning season, Central Station is also open Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00 am – Noon.  The fee for an Open Burning Permit is currently $20.00.

Open Burning Permits can also be obtained at http://www.massfire.net/brush/townsend.php the fee is $20.00, but there are additional fees of $0.50 for paying by a check online or $2.50 for paying by credit card.

You MUST

  • Obtain a permit for Open Burning from the link above or at the Fire-EMS Headquarters before you can burn.
  • Activate your permit by calling 978-597-7065, between 9:00 am and 12:00 Noon, before you start burning. (There is no burning allowed on windy or breezy days.)
  • Begin burning between 10:00 am and Noon.
  • Have an adequate water supply (garden hose) immediately available at your burn site.
  • Have a RESPONSIBLE ADULT ATTEND THE FIRE AT ALL TIMES.
  • Have your fire COMPLETELY OUT by 4:00 pm. (Thoroughly soak and stir all coals repeatedly, and check back after an hour or so, to make sure it’s out)
  • Burn only yard waste: fallen branches, pruning’s, raspberry canes, etc.

You MUST NOT

  • Leave the fire unattended – even for a minute
  • Allow the fire to grow too big or too high to control
  • Burn within 75 feet of a structure
  • Burn trash, debris, paper, tires, leaves, grass, hay, pine needles, stumps, or flammable liquids.
  • Use chemical accelerants, such as gasoline

For full rules, please refer to your Burning Permit. The rules are here for everyone’s safety, but common sense goes a long way – disregard either, and you’re playing with fire!

The link below has some useful tips on Open Burning.

Open Burning Fire Factors