We AO. d: ANS. WN iu 7 ie | uMASs/AMHE! 3120bb o2e70 4335 e Bis Ay V an 4 j What you should know Your Burning about open burning DISIMEMIS cous MA wcAsit’ UBAAY assachusetts 3 PSE TES Mui 061996 AUG Oe. Department of '?) Protection BoC CTION , > S fi : r . a. vu. a. f youre like most Bay Staters, you'll spend a lot of your time this spring preparing your lawn and garden for the warm months of renewal and growth ahead. A big part of your job Open burning might be the first thing that comes cae ZA to your mind. While it is still allowed in most {assachusetts towns and cities, open burning has leases large amounts of carbon dioxide, other es and solid substances directly into the air for people to athe. And, of course, disposal of materials is never as good for le environment as using them again in a different form. Natural |, there are times when open burning is the best or only | option. Even then, there are limits on what can be burned and when, as well as important public health and safety requirements. This brochure will answer your questions about open burning and offer you suggestions on doing it right. Why are there limits on open burning in Massachusetts? | The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and your local fire department limit open burning for public health and safety reasons. Open burning pollutes the air and can make it difficult for people with respiratory problems to breathe. When the air is stagnant, open burning can pose smoke and odor nuisances — and | health risks — to nearby residents, particularly _ in densely populated areas. Open burning can also pose a safety risk when it is not adequately controlled. The limits on open burning do not apply to outdoor cooking. 15 and May 1, so long as the o} pen b rning tz k es place: 5 ¢ with the permission of the loca department; between the hours of 10 a.m. 2 e . o =) 5- o e Len) 7) Q ian a} = a =) lee} ss light; no less than 75 feet away fom a and patches for pruning ourpoee —2 from your local fire department BEFORE burning anything infected beehives may also be bu department permission. | | “What other types of oulloor | fires are allowed? With the fire department’s approval and | : supervision, a community may schedule: © Christmas tree burning between December 26 and January 7 (although recycling trees by _____ chipping them into landscaping material or “planting” them in dunes to control beach erosion are more beneficial to the | environment); __* One ceremonial bonfire each year to observe a | municipal, state or national event; and | A bonfire between July 2 and July 6 in observance of Independence Day. | With specific approval from DEP, local fire departments may also stage outdoor fires for purposes of fire prevention or protection research and training. ll e,e— = \s ferlie7= What types of open burning are not allowed? There are no circumstances under which it is legal to burn grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires. They simply do not burn as “cleanly” as those materials that may legally be burned. All of them produce acrid smoke that causes nuisance conditions and threatens people’s health. When tires are burned, they produce noxious gases and petroleum residue, both of which can be harmful to people and the environment. In addition, the burning of brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris from commercial or industrial land clearing is prohibited statewide. Are there any Communities in which open burning is not allowed at all? Yes. Open burning is prohibited in 22 of the state's largest cities and towns due to the density of population and close proximity of buildings within their borders: Arlington Lowell Belmont Malden Boston Medford Brookline New Bedford Cambridge Newton Chelsea ‘Somerville Chicopee Springfield Everett Waltham Fall River Watertown Holyoke West Springfield Lawrence Worcester First things first: * Contact your local fire department for information on obtaining an open burning permit. Starting the fire: * Remove all grass from the area where you will be burning. * Try to start the fire with natural “kindling” — never with gasoline or charcoal lighter fluid. If you must use an artificial helper, kerosene is probably safest. While burning: ¢ Never add brush that is green or wet. It will reduce the efficiency of the fire and produce thick smoke. ¢ Someone must attend the fire until its completely out. You will need a hose or other supply of water and a shovel or rake for controlling the fire. Putting the fire out: ¢ Burn the fire down to the coals, drown them with water, spread them out, then drown them again.