A Permit to Kindle a Fire is required for burning brush, cooking fires, or for seasonal campfires. There is no charge for these permits and they can be obtained in person at the Fire Station located at 33 Catamount Road or from the Forest Fire Warden, one of the Deputy Forest Fire Wardens, or authorized Issuing Agent. Permits cannot be issued over the telephone. The applicant should be prepared to show photo identification and, if not the landowner, must provide written permission from the landowner. Permits are only issued for the burning of brush and untreated lumber under 5” in diameter and only under favorable weather conditions. All other items (such as tires, painted wood, furniture, etc.) need to be disposed of in a proper manner, not by burning.

Camp Fire/ Brush Permits:
“Open Burning” means the burning of any material wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed container.

A Category I Fire is a camp or cooking fire no greater than 2 ft. in diameter contained within a fire resistive ring. A Category I fire must be at least 25’ from structures. This would also include commercially made fire pits, chimneas and outdoor fireplaces. These fires may be kindled at any time, conditions permitting. Seasonal permits available.

A Category II Fire is a camp or cooking fire no greater than 4 ft. in diameter contained within a fire resistive ring. A Category II or greater fire must be at least 50’ from structures. These fires may only be kindled between the hours of 5:00 pm and 12:00 am, unless it is actively raining or the ground is snow covered. Seasonal permits available.

A Category III Fire means any other fire that is greater than 4 ft. in diameter or not contained in a fire resistive ring, such as an open brush/debris pile fire. These fires may only be kindled between the hours of 5:00 pm and 12:00 am, unless it is actively raining or the ground is snow covered. No Seasonal permits. A new permit is required for each day of
burning.

Abbreviated Rules

(Complete Rules are covered under RSA 227-L:17 and Res 5600)

The permittee must be at least 18 years old and the legal landowner, or have the landowner’s written approval. The written approval must be submitted to receive a permit. Brush and wood cannot exceed 5 inches in diameter.

No household waste, treated wood or composite materials may be burned. Only clean, untreated and non-contaminated wood may be burned. No construction debris may be burned.

No accelerants, tires, or tubes are to be used in the material being burned.

All open fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is completely extinguished. A buried fire is not considered extinguished. “Completely extinguished” means to be extinguished so that it emits no smoke, heat, or flame.

Permittee must have proper suppression equipment to maintain control of the fire at all times.

Incinerator permits are no longer allowed, per RSA 125-N.

For more information, contact Forest Fire Warden Lenny Deane or Fire Chief Gary Johnson at 435-6807 (fire station).