Free Permits for Open Burning Season Available

Open burning season for brush has begun in Massachusetts, as of January 15th. The burning season runs  through May 1, 2023. Open burning season is the designated time of year when homeowners can burn materials in their yards after obtaining a permit to do so from their local fire department.

Materials which may be burned are:

• Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris (but not from industrial/commercial land clearing);
• Agricultural materials such as prunings from fruit trees and bushes, raspberry stalks and infected bee hives;
• Trees and brush from agricultural land clearing;
• Fungus-infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal is available.

Materials which may not be burned are:

• Leaves;
• Brush, trees, cane or driftwood debris from industrial/commercial land clearing;
• Grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires;
• Construction materials or demolition debris;
• Household trash.

Open burning must be conducted between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  It should be located at least 75 feet from all buildings and should be conducted as close as possible to the material being burned. The air quality must be acceptable for burning. 

Each day before a resident plans to conduct open burning, the resident should determine if air quality is acceptable by calling the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Air Quality hotline at (800) 882-1497 or by visiting MassAir Online.

Permits are free, as fees are being waived. Applications are available from the Westwood Fire Department by applying online here.

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