"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, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces. These fires may be kindled at any time, conditions permitting.
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 9:00 am, unless it is actively raining or the ground is snow covered.
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 9:00 am, unless it is actively raining or the ground is snow covered.
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.
Even when it is actively raining a permit is always required.
When the ground is snow-covered, a permit is NOT required.
Permittee must be at least 18 years old, and the legal landowner or have the landowner’s written approval.
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 flames.
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.

WHO CAN ISSUE A BURNING PERMIT?

Only the local forest fire warden, deputy forest fire wardens or issuing agent may issue burning permits. The Captain Mike Wolfe of the Pittsfield Fire Department is the Town forest fire warden and deputy forest fire wardens consist of the Fire Department officers.

HOW DO I OBTAIN A PERMIT?

Permits can be obtained at the Pittsfield Fire Department, 33 Catamount Rd, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. For Saturday and Sunday, contact the Fire Department @ 435-6807 leave your name, number and address for the duty crew. There is no charge for obtaining a permit.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

MOST WEEKENDS THERE ARE NO ISSUING AGENTS ON DUTY. THE DUTY CREW WILL MAKE ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE WARDEN OR DEPUTY WARDEN TO ISSUE FIRE PERMITS.

RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO MAKE ARRAIGNMENTS DURING MONDAY – FRIDAY BUSINESS HOURS TO OBTAIN A FIRE PERMIT

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

SMOKE COMPLAINTS

All smoke complaints are investigated by the Fire Department or a Fire Department officer. If the smoke condition is determined to be excessive or unacceptable by the Fire Department the fire must be extinguished and the permit will be revoked.

BURNING BANS

From time to time a burning ban may be issued by either the State of New Hampshire or the Town fire warden/fire chief as a result of unusually dry or high wind conditions. Any permit issued prior to the ban will be rescinded and considered null and void.

SEASONAL PERMITS
The fire warden or deputy fire warden may issue a seasonal permit for camping and cooking fires only. Seasonal permits run to the end of the calendar year and are subject to the same restrictions as regular permits. Seasonal permits cannot be issued for brush or leaves due to varying daily weather conditions. Individuals holding a seasonal permit must still from time to time contact the Pittsfield Fire Department during regular business hours, or check the daily fire danger and weather to verify that a burning ban is not in effect and make notification of their intent to use their seasonal permit on that particular day. http://nhdfl.org/fire-control-and-law-enforcement/daily-fire-danger.aspx

COMMERCIAL BURNING PERMITS

Commercial burning permits for special situations may be issued to businesses or contractors by the Regional Forest Ranger and the local fire chief. The decision to issue a commercial burning permit is made on a case by case basis. Residential homeowners are not eligible for commercial burning permits.

UNSAFE CONDITIONS

If in the opinion of any Fire Department officer or member that an unsafe condition exists due to outside burning the fire must be extinguished immediately. Failure to do so may result in a criminal citation and/or reimbursement to the Town of Pittsfield for all extinguishment costs.

Should you have any questions, please contact Michael Wolfe, Forest Fire Warden at the fire station at 435-6807.

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