EASTON — Chief Kevin Partridge and Fire Prevention Officer Capt. John Dzialo wish to remind residents of the importance of abiding by open burning regulations.
There have been several recent violations of open burning regulations in town, including burning without a permit, burning on days that burning is not authorized and burning materials that are not allowed to be burned under state law.
Residents are reminded that open burning can only be conducted with a permit issued by the Easton Fire Department. A permit for open burning must be applied for at this link: permiteyes.net/Easton/burning/homepage.asp.
The Commonwealth’s annual burning period spans from Jan. 15 to May 1. Residents are only allowed to conduct open burning between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Residents are required to request permission on each day they wish to burn. Requests must be submitted online by visiting the burning permit homepage and clicking “Request Burn.” Those who wish to burn should not call the Easton Fire Department to request to burn.
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. Open burning may be halted at any time due to dry and windy weather.
Open burning is only allowed with a permit and after submitting a request to burn on the specific day. Burning is 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.
“Our outdoor burning permit system is in place to ensure compliance and safety throughout our community,” Chief Partridge said. “The permits supply the holder with guidelines pertaining to what can be burned and when burning can take place, and it is important that these rules and regulations are followed to decrease the risks associated with unauthorized burning.”
To view additional rules and regulations surrounding open burning season and for open burning safety tips, visit the Easton Fire Department’s website.
The fire department may revoke a permit at any time for violation of the open air burning rules or creating a nuisance. 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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