- After obtaining a permit from the local fire department

- Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Jan. 15 to April 30

- At least 75 feet from all dwellings 

- As close as possible to the source of material being burned 

- When air quality is acceptable for burning: Call the MassDEP Air Quality Hotline at (800) 882-1497 or visit MassAir Online at https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/ to find out if it is safe to burn

Items that CANNOT be burned include: 

- Brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing operations

- Grass, hay, leaves, stumps, and tires

- Construction material and debris 

Items that can be burned include: 

- Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations.

- Agricultural materials such as fruit tree and bush prunings, raspberry stalks, and infected bee hives for disease control.

- Trees and brush resulting from agricultural land clearing. 

- Fungus infected elm wood ONLY if no other acceptable means of disposal is available.

How to safely ignite and tend the fire: 

- An adult should always be present during open burning, until it is completely extinguished. 

- 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 discarded Christmas tree can be used. 

- 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 of material at a time and slowly add to it, this helps to keep the fire from getting out of control. 

- Select a burn location away from any utility lines.

- Monitor the wind and be prepared to extinguish quickly. 

Fire control tools to have on hand: 

- Water supply. This can be a pressurized water fire extinguisher, a pump can or a garden hose. TEST the water source before igniting the fire, you do not want to find out that the water is off or that the hose is cracked when you need it.

- Shovels and rakes – you can use dirt to put out a fire.

If the fire gets out of control: 

- Call the fire department IMMEDIATELY

- People who allow a fire to get out of control, or who conduct illegal burning, may be held liable for the costs of extinguishing the fire in addition to fines or imprisonment (M.G.L. c.48, s.13).

For more safety tips, visit https://www.mass.gov/doc/safety-tips-for-open-burning/download