Following two months without substantial rain and four-plus weeks of a local outdoor burn ban due to increasingly dry ground conditions and a growing number of brush fires, First Selectman Jeff Capeci has rescinded the latter.

In a notice published this morning, Capeci announced that “with the return of much-needed rain today, outdoor recreational burning is now permitted once again.”

The First Selectman also reminds Newtown residents that outside burning of some brush is allowed, although it does require a permit from the Office of the Fire Marshal. There is a $5 fee per permit.

Brush up to 3 inches in diameter may be burned with a permit.

Larger brush must be disposed of at the Town transfer station on Ethan Allen Road.

Permits must be applied for prior to the day of the planned burning. For those planning to burn on a weekend, a permit must be applied and paid for by noon on Friday. A fire marshal will inspect the brush to be burned.

There is absolutely no burning of cut trees, stumps, roots, leaves or grass; construction materials (including plywood, 2 by 4s, shingles, etc); or garbage.

On the day of a scheduled burn, permit holders must first call fire dispatch at 203-270-4200, providing their name and address of the burn. At that time the dispatcher will inform the caller if conditions are acceptable to burn.

Burning is not to be done in the woods. Burn piles must be 100 feet from the wood line, dried grass, and property line.

On a scheduled burn day there must be a wind between 5 and 15 miles per hour.

All burning permits are canceled when the Forest Fire Danger is High or Extreme and on high wind days.

Fires must be completely extinguished by 5 pm. The fire must be attended at all times.

For additional information call the fire marshal's office, 203-270-4370.