NH Law requires fire permits to kindle outside fires
Residents of Brookfield, NH
Written fire permits cannot be issued by the Wakefield Fire Department and can be obtained either online using the "NH ONLINE BURN PERMITTING SYSTEM", directly from the local forest fire warden or from authorized issuing agents in Brookfield, NH.
General Burning Information
Only leaves, woody debris or brush less than 5 inches in diameter, or untreated wood and dimension lumber can be burned. For any open burning a written fire permit is required. Even with the permit, no open burning is allowed between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm unless it is raining. When the ground you are burning on is completely covered with snow, no permit is required. The Town of Wakefield permits burning legal materials with adequate snow coverage or while actively raining.
The permittee will be required to have suppression equipment on site while the burning is being done and the fires will have to be totally extinguished or be constantly attended.
Only clean, ordinary combustibles shall be burned. Prohibited items burned in the open include but are not limited to household waste, stumps, painted or treated lumber or composite, tires, tubes, plastics, foam rubber and shingles. More information can be found on the NH Division of Forests and Lands website.
Fire "Category" Requirements
Category 1 Fires: A small controlled fire, such as a camp or cooking fire, no greater than 2 feet in diameter contained within a ring of fire resistive material or in a portable fireplace, except for public & private campgrounds or picnic sites, located at least 25 feet from structures.
*Category 1 fires may be kindled, conditions permitting, with a permit at any time or day whether raining or not.
Category 2 Fires: A controlled fire, such as a camp or cooking fire, no greater than 4 feet in diameter contained within a ring of fire resistive material or in a portable fireplace and located at least 50 feet from structures.
Category 3 Fires: Any other fire, not a Category I or Category II fire or a fire greater than 4 feet in diameter or a fire not contained within a ring of resistive material and located at least 50 feet from structures.
*A Category III fire, conditions permitting, may be kindled with a permit only between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. unless it is actively raining. Category III permits may be issued for up to 7 days.
How to Obtain a Permit
Anyone wishing to burn clean ordinary combustibles or have a camp or cooking fire must own or have written landowner approval and have a valid permit for the location of the fire where it is to be kindled. You must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a written fire permit.
Visit Central Station at 2017 Wakefield Rd, Sanbornville, NH or obtain one online.
