For Immediate Release

Monday, Jan. 7, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Easton Fire Department Launches New Online Open Burning Permit System

Open Burning Season From Jan. 15 to May 1

EASTON — Chief Kevin Partridge and the Easton Fire Department are pleased to announce that the State Open Burning Season will run from Jan. 15 through May 1, and the Town will be utilizing a new online permitting system this year.

“We are extremely pleased that the open burn permitting process is now part of the Town’s online permitting system,” Chief Partridge said. “Easton continues to improve web-based access for our residents and businesses, enabling them to obtain important information and services online. We believe this online system will make the process of obtaining a permit much easier.”

Permits must be obtained online by visiting this website. Residents are encouraged to register now, ahead of Jan. 15, and must apply for a permit on the day they want to burn.

To submit an application, your name, street address and phone number are required.

Those who do not have internet access can go to Easton Fire Station 3, 413 Bay Road, and use a public access computer in the lobby to apply. You are required to check in each day you wish to burn and specify that you are burning for the day.

Open burning can only be conducted with a permit issued by the Easton Fire Department and is only permitted for brush, cane, driftwood, forestry debris, agricultural debris and, under limited conditions, fungus-infected elm wood.

Burning grass, hay, leaves, stumps, and commercial or industrial land clearing for non-agricultural purposes is prohibited.

The requirement to check in each day is based on changing atmospheric and weather conditions such as wind or air dryness. The department’s on-duty shift commanders will make a determination before 9 a.m. each day whether burning will be allowed in town.

Chief Partridge would like to remind residents that the fire department will investigate all reports of smoke and uncontrolled fires regardless of whether a permit was issued at the address or area of the report.

Violations of the permit requirements, open burning law, and/or open burning regulations will be grounds for permit revocation. According to Massachusetts law, anyone found burning without a permit may be subject to criminal charges, the punishment for which is a fine of up to $500, plus the cost of suppression or by imprisonment for up to one month, or both.

For more information about burn permits, visit the Open Burn Permits & Regulations page on the Easton Fire Department website by clicking here. Anyone with questions regarding opening burning should call the Easton Fire Department at 508-230-0750.

“We appreciate residents’ patience during the transition to the new online service, and we hope that they find the process more efficient and user-friendly than methods used in the past,” Chief Partridge said.

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