Open Burning Season Starts in Winchester This Week

Open burning season starts on Thursday in Winchester and other Massachusetts communities.

Residents must call the Winchester Fire Department at 781-729-1802 on the day they wish to burn to obtain a Burning Permit for that day. The officer in charge will make a decision whether or not it is appropriate to burn that day. Factors the officers will take into consideration include weather and inconvenience to neighbors, said Winchester Fire Chief John Nash.

According to Mass.gov, these materials are allowed to be burned with the Burning Permit:

• Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris.
• Agricultural materials such as fruit tree prunings, dead raspberry stalks, blueberry patches for pruning purposes and infected beehives for disease control.
• Trees and brush from agricultural land clearing.
• Fungus infected elm wood.

These materials are prohibited from being burned across the state:

• Brush, trees, cane and driftwood.
• Grass, hay, leaves, stumps and tires.
• Construction material and debris.

Open burning must be at least 75 feet from all residents and it must not be an inconvenience to neighbors. The fire department has the ability to revoke a permit if a party violated the open air burning rules or creates a nuisance.

Those who conduct illegal burning or cause a fire to get out of control may be fined, imprisoned and liable for costs of extinguishing the fire.

Follow these safety procedures when igniting a fire:

• Always have an adult present. Make sure children and pets are kept a safe distance from the fire.
• Start the fire with paper and kindling and progressively add larger pieces of wood. Residents can use a leftover Christmas tree.
• Burn one small pile at a time and slowly add to in to keep the fire from getting out of control.
• Do not use gasoline, kerosene or flammable liquid to start a fire. These liquids can cause a very high risk of personal injury.
• Make sure the fire is away from utility lines.
• Keep a hose or water supply close by.

Learn lots more on safety, as well as burning alternatives and how to obtain a permit, on the DEP website.

Want more? Subscribe to the free Winchester daily newsletter: