WESTFIELD – Open burning season began on January 15 and will continue through April 30, unless discontinued by the state, and the Westfield Fire Department wants to remind residents of the restrictions and rules to keep everyone safe.
Written numbered permits and a copy of open burning rules must be obtained at the WFD headquarters located at 34 Broad Street.
This permit can be obtained on the day a resident wishes to burn or anytime prior to the day he/she plans to burn.
Permits can be obtained Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. or on weekends between 8:30 a.m. – noon.
If residents filled out a permit in the past, it is still good for this year unless they have moved or changed phone numbers.
After obtaining a permit, residents must call the fire department between 9 a.m. – noon on the day they plan to burn to request permission to burn on that day. Permission will be granted provided the resident has a valid permit number and the weather conditions are suitable, for instance not too windy, too dry etc.
The rules for opening burning, as presented on the WFD’s Facebook page, are in accordance with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations dated January 2001.
The rules include:
– The fire must be at least 75 feet from all buildings. – No flammable liquids can be used to start or increase the fire.
– Only small piles of brush can be burned — no leaves or rubbish.
– The fire must not be more than 4 feet by 4 feet by 3 feet in height.
– The fire should be supervised at all times until completely extinguished.
– A hose or pail of water should be kept nearby to control the fire.
– If the fire gets out of control, call the Fire Department immediately.
– Commercial burning is prohibited. Absolutely no burng of building materials or commercial land clearing is allowed.
– The fire or smoke must not cause any nuisance to neighbors.
– The fire must be completely extinguished by 4:00 p.m.
– Please note that the WFD may revoke any permit for just cause.
– No open burning is allowed from May 1 through January 14.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
