STOW – Residents of Westfield, and other communities where open burning is allowed, will have to act promptly to comply with the recommendations of the Department of Fire Services which suggest that open burning is safest while there is still snow on the ground.
The open burning season began January 15 and will continue until May 1.
“If you plan to burn brush this season, do so early, while there is still snow on the ground on a day when the winds are low,” Deputy State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said.
“Every spring, wind and weather conditions combine to elevate the hazards of brush fires,” he said. “Once the snow melts it reveals dried grass, leaves, and fallen branches. Warm winds, low humidity and bright sunshine combine to make them tinder dry. This combustible debris provides the fuel for brush and woods fires.”
“We hope that the late melting snow-pack will help reduce the conditions for brush fires this year,” he said.
“You need a permit from the local fire warden, usually the local fire chief, to burn brush and burning can only take place when both air quality and fire safety conditions are acceptable,” said Ostroskey. “Weather conditions can change rapidly, so watch the wind and be prepared to extinguish your open burning”
“Use common sense and don’t wait for the fire department to contact you that is has become unsafe to burn,” said Ostroskey. “Sudden wind change is how most open burning gets out of control.”
If the fire should get out of control, call the fire department immediately.
“Once started, winds fan the flames and fire can spread faster than a person can run,” said Ostroskey. “Use the utmost caution to prevent injury to yourself or family members or any damage by fire to your home.”
Springtime usually means brush fires for the Massachusetts fire service. April is the peak of the Massachusetts brush fire season Ostroskey said. He said that, on average, the Commonwealth experiences 107 percent more brush fires in April than it does in its next highest month, May. People conducting illegal burning, or who allow a fire to get out of control, may be held liable for costs of extinguishing a fire, fined, and even imprisoned.
Ostroskey and the department offer a number of tips for safe burning and recommend:
• Burn between the hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. with a permit from the fire warden;
• Burn when air is circulating well but without high winds, and the Daily Air Quality Forecast – MassAir Online (also available at the MassDEP Open Burning Hotline at 617-556-1021) – is “good” in your community’s Massachusetts Fire & Incident Support (ISU) Response District;
• Burn on your own property as close as possible to the source of material to be burned, at least than 75 feet away from all dwellings and away from utility lines;
• Keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose charged with water, and a shovel and rake close by;
• Ensure that the fire is constantly monitored by an adult. Unattended burning is a grounds for revocation of a burning permit;
• Use paper and kindling (e.g. Parts of a leftover Christmas tree) start a fire and add progressively larger pieces of wood;
• Never use gasoline, kerosene or any other flammable liquid to start a fire due to the high risk of personal injury;
• Burn one small pile at a time and slowly add to it in order to keep the fire from getting out of control;
• When finishing burning, allow the fire to burn down to coals, drown them with water, spread them out, then drown them again.
