CANTON — Chief Charles Doody would like to inform Canton residents that open burning season begins Jan. 15 and runs through May 1.
In accordance with the Commonwealth’s annual burning period, Canton residents will only be allowed to conduct open burning between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Residents looking to obtain a burn permit should call the Canton Fire Department at 781-575-6654 ext. 3100. All residents need to re-apply for burning permits as they do not carry over from previous seasons.
Residents who have already obtained permits need to call 781-575-6654 on the day they wish to burn. Callers will hear a message which will inform them if burning is allowed that day and instruct them to leave their name, address and permit number.
Residents should not call the Canton Fire Department business line for burning authorization.
Open burning can only be conducted with a permit issued by the Canton Fire Department and is only permitted for brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations. 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.
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.
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