If you're like most Bay Staters, you spend a lot of your time in the spring preparing your lawn and garden for the warm months of renewal and growth ahead. A big part of your job is cleaning up tree limbs, brush and other remnants of winter storms - and figuring out what to do with all that debris.

Open burning might be the first thing that comes to your mind. While it is still allowed in most Massachusetts towns and cities, open burning has its distinct disadvantages. The combustion process releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, other gases, and solid substances directly into the air for people to breathe. And, of course, disposal of materials is never as good for the environment as using them again in a different form. Natural debris can be chipped or composted into landscaping material.

Still, 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 page provides answers to your questions about open burning and offers you suggestions on how to do it right.

Why are there limits on open burning in Massachusetts?

The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and your local fire 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.

What can be burned, when, and under what conditions?

In most of the state's towns and cities, homeowners are allowed to burn brush (less than 4 inches in diameter), cane, driftwood

With the permission of the local fire department; Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.;

When air is circulating well but without high winds, and the MassDEP air quality forecast (also available at 800-882-1497) is "good" for ozone (after April 1) and fine particles;

No less than 75 feet away from all dwellings; and

On your own property and as close as possible to the source of material(s) to be burned.

Fungus-infected elmwood and other materials normally associated with agriculture and agricultural land clearing - such as tree prunings, dead raspberry stalks, blueberry patches for pruning purposes - and disease-infected beehives may also be burned with fire department permission. It is never allowable to burn grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires.

You must get a permit from your local fire department before burning anything. Please note: Open burning is not allowed at all in 22 specific Massachusetts communities.

What other types of outdoor 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.

Outdoor cooking is allowed year-round in all communities and is not subject to open burning limits. With specific approval from MassDEP, local fire departments may also stage outdoor fires for purposes of fire prevention or protection research and training. See MassDEP Guidance Documents for additional information.

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 the close proximity of buildings within their borders:

Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, Medford, New Bedford, Newton, Somerville, Springfield, Waltham, Watertown, West Springfield, and Worcester

Open Burning Guidelines

First things first:

Contact your local fire department for information on obtaining an open burning permit.

Check the MassDEP air quality forecast (also available at 800-882-1497) to be sure that weather conditions are suitable for open burning.

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 it's 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.