News Flash

Open burning season is here! Open burning in the Town of Chelmsford runs from January 15, 2022 to April 30, 2022. You must have a permit to burn. All open burning permits are issued online, however if you have trouble with the online process, you can call the Fire Prevention Office at (978) 251-2488 or visit the Fire Prevention Office from 8AM to 11AM Monday through Friday.

Permits are $10 and are good for the season. Get your permit at https://permiteyes.us/chelmsford/burningpublichome.php

Open Burning Rules

• Burning of the following materials are allowed with a burning permit:
  1. Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris.
  2. Agricultural materials such as fruit tree prunings, dead raspberry stalks, blueberry patches for pruning purposes, and infected beehives for disease control.
• You may NOT burn:
  1. Brush, trees, cane, and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing operations.
  2. Grass, hay, leaves, or stumps.
  3. Construction material, demolition debris, household trash, or tires.
  4. Tree trunks and limbs greater than 4” in diameter. These are not considered brush and are prohibited from open burning.
  5. Large piles that will not readily burn or are of such size that they will not be out by 4PM.
• In order to burn:
  1. Burning is only allowed from January 15 to April 30 between 10am and 4pm. You may not start burning after 2pm. All fires must be completely extinguished by 4pm. No burning is allowed on Sundays.
  2. You must obtain permission to burn by driving by a fire station and verifying that the window sign reads “OK to burn,” or by calling (978) 256-2542. 
  3. You must have a garden hose immediately available that reaches the entire open burn area.
  4. The fire must always be supervised by a responsible adult 18 years of age or older.
• Igniting and maintaining a fire safely
  1. Open burning must be at least 75 feet from all buildings and away from utility lines.
  2. A fire shall not become a nuisance to neighbors or adjacent properties.
  3. You may not use gasoline, kerosene, or any other flammable liquid to ignite a fire. Start the fire small with paper or kindling and gradually add larger pieces to the pile.
  4. Keep children and pets at a safe distance. You may not leave the fire unattended at any time.
  5. Do not leave hot coals smoldering or unattended.
• Daily permission to burn may be rescinded at any time due to changing weather conditions.
• Call 911 immediately if your fire gets out of control or if you have any other emergency.
• You are responsible for your fire and any damage it may cause.
• This permit will be revoked for the remainder of the season for any violation of these rules. Violations will also be subject to citations and fines.

PERMISSION MUST BE OBTAINED FOR EACH DAY OF BURNING BY CALLING (978) 256-2542 OR BY VERIFYING THAT THE WINDOW SIGN AT A FIRE STATION READS “OK TO BURN.”