January 12, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer
Open burning season starts Jan. 15 and ends May 1.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Hingham 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, according to state and local officials. 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.
Permits are available online or for those without computer access, by stopping by Central Fire Station at 339 Main St. "The $5 fee has been waived due to COVID-19 in order to cut down on person-to-person contact," Deputy Fire Chief William Powers told the Hingham Anchor.
Permits are valid for the calendar year only. Once a permit has been issued, the person holding it must notify the fire department on each day that they burn. Burning may only take place between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at which time fires must be completely extinguished. No permits will be issued or activated after 2 p.m.
Allowed materials include brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris (other than from commercial or industrial land clearing).
Prohibited materials include leaves, grass, hay, stumps, rubbish, building materials, and tires.
For further information, visit https://www.hingham-ma.