Open Burning

Open burning season begins on January 15th and ends May 1st. A burning permit is required which can be obtained online for a fee of $25. Please NO CASH PAYMENTS!  Your payment receipt will serve as your valid burn permit for the season.

Online registration/purchase is preferred.  For residents without internet access you may obtain a permit by mailing a check or money order made out to the Town of Halifax for $25.00 along with the application (found at the bottom of this page) or you may leave the application and payment in the designated box at the front desk of the Fire Station.

YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A PHYSICAL PERMIT!

To use your permit, you MUST call 781-293-1750 after 9:00am for an automated message indicating if the Fire Marshall is allowing burning that day; Halifax Fire does not make that decision.  You will not be able to leave a message on this line.  If you need further assistance please call the station directly. 

Please familiarize  yourself with the Open Burning Laws!  Residents 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 (MGL c.48s s.13).

General Guidelines

• Burning hours are 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.  No new fires are to be started after 2:00 pm and all fires must be extinguished by 4:00 pm. 
• All fires must be at least 75 feet from all buildings and have an adult present during burning.
• Fire control tools and a garden hose must be present during burning.  Please be sure to test your water supply before igniting the fire to be sure it is working properly. The outside water must be turned on and there should be no cracks in the hose. 
• You may burn brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris (but not from commercial or industrial land clearing), agricultural materials including fruit tree and brush prunings, raspberry stalks and infected bee hives for disease control.  You may burn trees and brush from agricultural land clearing and fungus-infected elm wood if no other acceptable means of disposal is available.
• You may NOT burn leaves, grass, hay, stumps, tires, construction materials, demolition debris or household trash.
• Be aware of your surroundings.  Please do not burn under tree limbs, utility lines or other overhanging items.