Online Application for Open Burning Permits
Franklin County, Massachusetts

Permits are only issued between 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM.
Permits are only issued ON THE DAY that you wish to burn and are valid for that day only.
No permits are issued IN ADVANCE due to the potential for changing weather conditions.

Background

Massachusetts allows residents to burn brush between January 15 and May 1 inclusive, depending on weather conditions. You must obtain permission from the town or fire district in which you plan to burn brush. Many towns in Franklin County offer burning permits through this system. The permits are free of charge, but availability depends on weather conditions.

Regulations

• You may only burn BRUSH! All other materials are illegal. No leaves, grass, hay, stumps, building debris or any other materials are allowed to be burned.
• All open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from buildings or structures.
• Burning will be allowed to start at 10:00am and must be extinguished by 4pm.
• Any open fire must be attended at all times by the permit holder.
• No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in open air at any time except by permission.
• You must be 18 years or older to apply for permit and/or set, maintain or increase fire once permission has been granted by the Fire Department.
• You must have an appropriate means to extinguish an open air fire completely at the end of the day or if requested by the Fire Department.
• The Fire Department can refuse or cancel a permit at any time. (Example: Violation of permit regulations, or change in weather conditions.)
• Open burning season is January 15 - May 1.
• Massachusetts Regulation 310 CMR: DEP 7.07 "Open Burning"
• More information from the Massachusetts DEP.

How to obtain a permit

CLICK HERE to obtain a permit on-line using this system.

Residents of Greenfield must pre-register with the city prior to obtaining a permit. Greenfield Pre-Registration

Permits are available during the burning season, subject to weather conditions.

You must have internet access and a valid email address to use this system. If you cannot use the online system, please contact your town's forest warden or fire chief. If you are burning in Greenfield call the Greenfield dispatcher at 413-773-5411 or if you are burning in Erving call 413-422-2800 x1221. The county dispatcher can no longer issue burning permits.

The following towns do not offer permits through this system

Hawley
Contact the Hawley Fire Chief at 413-339-5526 or his assistants at 339-8650 or 339-5592.

Monroe
Contact Monroe Fire Chief Bruce Lescarbeau at 802-423-5018.

Turners Falls Fire District
Contact TFFD at 413-863-9023.

Orange
Contact the Town of Orange Fire Department for more information.

Questions? Email fcburnpermits@gmail.com. Please do not email requesting a permit. Permits are not issued in advance of the day you wish to burn nor are they issued in response to emails. Use the on-line system to obtain your permit on the day you wish to burn.

If you have problems using this system, please contact your town directly to obtain a permit.

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