Apply for an open burning permit online now! Open burning season is from January 15 through May 1 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A permit from the Merrimac Fire Department is required previous to any open burning.
The Merrimac Fire Department is using an online burn permit management system. To obtain and use a burn permit in Merrimac, follow these easy steps!
Weather conditions, lack of rain and moisture, wind and other factors may suspend the granting of an authorization to begin burning at any time. Just because you have a burning permit, does not automatically give you authorization to commence burning. On days that burning is not allowed, a notification will be posted at merrimac.firepermits.com and you will be unable to activate your permit.
If you obtained your burn permit online, you DO NOT need to call the fire department to activate your permit, please do so online at merrimac.firepermits.com.
Safety Tips for Open Burning Season
With A Permit, Burning of the Following Materials Is Allowed
Burning of the Following Materials Is Prohibited Statewide
How to Safely Ignite the Fire
Fires Must be Attended Until Completely Extinguished
Do not leave your fire burning unattended. This is a reason to revoke your burning permit.
Fire Control Tools and Water Supply Must Be Present
The water supply can be a pressurized fire extinguisher, a pump can or garden hose. Be sure to test it out before igniting the fire to be sure it works properly. Also, if relying on a garden hose double-check that the water supply is turned on and that there are no cracks in the hose itself. You are required to have a water supply and fire control tools on hand.
Watch the Wind: Be Prepared to Extinguish All Open Burning
It is unsafe to burn during high winds. Use common sense and don’t wait for the fire department to contact you that is has become unsafe to burn. Sudden wind change is the how most open burning gets out of control.
Don’t Delay a Call for Help
If for some reason, the fire should get out of control, call the fire department immediately. Use the utmost caution to prevent injury to yourself or family members or any damage by fire to your home.
Extinguish the Fire Fully
Burn the fire down to the coals, drown them with water, spread them out, then drown them again.
April is the Cruelest Month
April is usually the worst month for brush fires. When snow pack recedes, before new growth emerges, last year’s dead grass, leave and wood are dangerous tinder. Winds also tend to be stronger and more unpredictable during April. Unfortunately many people wait until the warmer weather to conduct open burning.
Prevent Wildfires by Burning During Wet Snowy Conditions
Prevent permit fires from becoming wild land fires by burning early in the season. Wet and snowy winter conditions hinder the rapid spread of fire on or under the ground. Weather conditions and increased fire danger may lead to many days when burning cannot be allowed to take place.
Open Burning Alternatives
Open burning releases large amount of carbon dioxide, other gases and solid substances directly into the air, which can contribute to respiratory problems. Disposal of natural materials is best for the environment when they are used again in a different form. Try chipping or composting tree limbs, brush or forestry debris to use as landscaping materials. Check with your local public works or highway department; many have chippers at their municipal recycling center or transfer station, and with process debris for homeowners.
Mass DEP Air Quality Hotline
The MA Dept. of Environmental Protection regulates open burning in MA and information explaining those regulations on its website. Starting in 2014, you must also be sure air quality conditions are acceptable for burning by calling the MassDEP Air Quality Hotline at (617) 556-1021 or by visiting the MassAir Online Website. Even with a fire department permit in hand, you cannot burn if the air quality is not acceptable.
MassDEP lists 22 communities that do not allow open burning at all: Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Medford, New Bedford, Newton, Somerville, Springfield, Waltham, Watertown, West Springfield, and Worcester.
A Permit is Required from Local Fire Warden/Fire Chief
A permit must be obtained from the local fire warden, usually the local fire chief. Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially in the spring, and fire wardens will determine on a daily basis when it is safe to conduct open burning. If winds kick up or other atmospheric conditions change suddenly, making it unsafe to burn, permits can be rescinded (cancelled).
The open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from all buildings and must be conducted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and must take place on the land closest to the source of material to be burned, according to Department of Environmental Protection regulations (310 CMR DEP 7.07).
People conducting illegal burning, or who allow a fire to get out of control, may be held liable for costs of extinguishing a fire, fined, and even imprisoned (MGL c.48 s.13).