Outdoor Burning Season Has Begun In Lexington: Know The Rules

LEXINGTON, MA – The outdoor burning season in Massachusetts started on Jan. 15 and ends on May 1. You can call 781-862-0272 ext. 300 after 9 a.m. if you wish to burn. A recording will inform you if burning is allowed that day. Following the message, you will be asked to enter your permit number.

Here are Lexington's requirements for open burning season, according to the Town of Lexington website:

• A Permit must be applied for and received prior to any burning.
• No grass, hay, leaves, stumps, construction material, tires, paper or rubbish may be burned at any time. No land site or clearing debris may be burned.
• All open fires must be located more than 75 feet from any building or structure (including wooden, plastic or vinyl fences).
• Accelerants such as gasoline, propane, or any other volatile gas or liquid used to start a fire are prohibited.
• Burning is allowed only between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, with all fires ignited prior to 2 PM and extinguished by 4 PM.
• All fires must be attended to by a person 18 years of age or older, accompanied with a charged garden hose, or other acceptable means of extinguishment.
• Open burning may be conducted during periods of good atmospheric ventilation and without causing a nuisance. If at any time the National Weather Service or the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation declare a "Red Flag Warning" or " High Fire Danger", burning is suspended until which time the warning or danger is lifted.

The fire department shift commander will determine existing predicted weather conditions prior to 9 a.m. each day.

Any permit may be revoked at any time. A person who violates a provision of the permit will be subjected to a $100 fine for the first offense, $500 for the second and $1,000 for any subsequent offense. The permit must be produced upon request to a fire or police official; failure to do so will result in the extinguishment of the fire.

>>>Click here to apply for an Open Burning Permit.