SOUTHWICK – With the open burning season starting January 15, the Southwick Fire Department is reminding residents to obey the regulations if they choose to conduct open burning.
Abiding by the Massachusetts DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) open burning regulations, the Southwick Fire Department notes that open burning can include brush, cane driftwood, and forestry debris, as long as it’s not commercial or industrial land clearing operations. The open burning can occur from January 15 to May 1.
Open burning can only be carried out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson said people not putting their fire out by 4 p.m. has been a major issue during the open burning season.
“The big thing we find is people not putting them (fires) out by 4 p.m.,” said Anderson. “Make sure it’s extinguished when you’re done.”
Anderson also said that winds typically pick up in the afternoon in the winter and those high winds can make the open burning turn into a large fire.
Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson wants to remind residents about the open burning regulations. (WNG File Photo)
Another regulation is that the open burning must be at least 75 ft. away from a dwelling and Anderson highly suggests that no one uses gasoline. He also recommends starting small fires, and not a large pile that could get out of control.
“That’s obviously a concern,” said Anderson. “It has a combination of challenges with it.”
Additional open burning regulations from the DEP are as follows:
*burning must take place on the land closest to the source of the material to be burned
*burning must be conducted during periods of good atmospheric ventilation and without causing a nuisance, approved from the Fire Department which will ultimately be determined by the DEP air quality control division.
Guidelines for conducting open burning:
Starting the Fire:
* Before placing the material to be burned in an area, remove all gas
* Before burning brush, dry by cutting in advance or covering
* Start the fire using either small amounts of kerosene, #2 fuel (NO GASOLINE), or a pressurized burner which uses diesel fuel.
While burning:
Someone must attend the fire until completely extinguished. Have available a water supply, such as a pressurized water pump can or hose, and shovels or rakes for controlling the fire.
Extinguishing the fire
Burn the fire down to coals and spread the coals with snow, water, sand or soil
Burning of the following materials is PROHIBITED statewide
* Brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and or institutional land clearing operations.
* Grass, hay, leaves and stumps
* Tires
Also Prohibited is:
* stacking, placing or storing combustible material such that the Fire Department may presume that it will be burned
Residents must apply for an open burning permit with the Southwick Fire Department at 15 Depot St. at a cost of $35.
Open burning is very popular during the January 15 until May 1 burn season and Anderson believes if the public does it right it can be successful and with few incidents.
“It definitely creates a lot more activity for us, however if people follow the rules, it can be a very safe process to help get rid of debris,” said Anderson.
Even though Southwick residents that have a permit are legally able to open burn, people have to contact the Southwick Fire Department on the day that they are planning on burning. The Southwick Fire Department will then check with DEP to see if the air quality is acceptable for burning. People can also call the DEP Air Quality Hotline at 800-882-1497 or visit MassAir Online to find out if the air quality is okay. If people decide to burn on a day that is deemed not safe air quality, a warning will be issued by the Southwick Fire Department, followed by a $500 fine for repeat offenders.
