Fire Marshal Extends Open Burning Season

Due to favorable ground conditions, the town fire marshal has decided to extend the local open burning season by one month, to April 30.

The open burning season typically closes on April 1, but moist ground conditions will allow the season to be extended by one month.

Residents may apply for open burning permits at the fire marshal’s office at the town office complex at 31 Peck’s Lane. Permits cost $5.

After receiving an open burning permit, permit holders must contact the town’s emergency dispatch center by telephone at 270-4200 on the day of the scheduled open burning to learn if weather conditions allow such activity on that day.

Open burning permits are intended for the burning of brush only, whose trunk size is no larger than three inches in diameter. Open burning situations must be attended at all times when burning is underway.

Open burning is not allowed in wooded areas. Opening burning must be done at least 100 feet away from wooded areas, dried grass, and property lines.

On the day scheduled for open burning, winds must range from five to 15 miles per hour.

Open burning permits will be canceled on days when the forest fire danger is listed as “high” or “extreme,” and also during high winds. Open burning areas must be extinguished by 5 pm on the day of the permit.

Prohibited is the open burning of cut trees, stumps, roots, leaves, grass, construction materials, and garbage.

For details on open burning permits, contact the fire marshal’s office, telephone 270-4370.