Fire Permit

FIRE PERMITS REQUIRED

Category l, ll, and lll fires may be kindled only by the landowner or the landowner’s agent with written permission from the landowner and with a written fire permit issued by the Fire Warden, or the Warden’s authorized agent in the town or city where the fire will be kindled.

Fire permits shall not be issued to individuals who have had more than two open burning violations, or any grievous violations, within the past 7 years.

“Category I Fire” means 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.

A Category I Fire, conditions permitting, may be kindled with a permit at any time of day whether raining or not.

“Category ll Fire” means 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.

A Category ll 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 actually raining.

“Category lll Fire” means any other fire, not a Category I or Category ll 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 lll 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 actually raining. Category lll permits may be issued for up to 7 days.

HOW TO EXTINGUISH A FIRE

Drown the fire ashes with lots of water.
Stir, add more water and stir again. Be sure all burned material is out cold Feel materials with your bare hand. If it is too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave

LIABILITIES

ANY person, firm or corporation causing or kindling a fire without a permit, when a permit is required, and also any person by whose negligence or the negligence of his agents any fire shall cause, is liable to the town for all expenses incurred in attending or extinguishing such fire. If fire escapes from control you may be held liable for:

1. Payment of damage to property of another;

2. Payment of suppression costs to the town;

3. Prosecution for failure to comply with regulations.

   PENALTIES

ANY person violating any provision of the section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and any person who causes or kindles a fire by any means, willfully or recklessly, which shall endanger a woodland shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if a natural person, or
guilty of a felony if any other person.

A written fire permit shall be Summarily Suspended and an Official Notice or Summons may be issued for violation of the rules or laws.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does “Open Burning” mean?

The burning of any material wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed container. The use of portable fireplaces is considered open burning.

Do I need a permit to burn?

YES – Every person, firm or corporation who kindles or causes to be kindled any fire or burns or causes to be burned any material, except when the ground is covered with snow, SHALL obtain a written fire permit from the Forest Fire Warden in the town or city where the fire will be kindled.

What does “Ground Covered with Snow” mean?

The area within a 100′ radius from the fire edge is covered with snow or other frozen precipitation sufficient to prevent the combustion of woodland fuels until the fire is completely extinguished.

How old do I have to be in order to obtain a fire permit?

You must be 18 years of age or older to obtain a permit or to be a permittee.

Can I get a permit online?

YES – if your Town has opted into the online permit program, visit NHFirePermit.com or scan the QR code on the back page of this brochure.

Do I have to stay with my fire?

YES – “Attended” means that an individual responsible for the fire and capable of extinguishing the fire is on the same property as the fire, is able to immediately extinguish the fire, and has the fire in plain view.

What materials can be burned with a fire permit?

Only Burning of untreated wood, untreated pallets, campfire wood, brush, or charcoal is allowed. Wood can be NO GREATER than 5 INCHES in Diameter. Construction or demolition materials shall not be burned.

lf I started my Category ll or lll fire while it was raining and it stops raining, do I have to extinguish the fire?
YES – “Raining” means sustained precipitation that is actively occurring of sufficient intensity and duration so as to prevent the fire from spreading in woodland fuels.

For fire permits, who qualifies as a “permittee”?

“Permittee” means a landowner or a person having written permission from the landowner.

Can I burn wood that has been painted, stained or pressure treated?

NO – Only burning of untreated wood, untreated pallets, campfire wood, brush, or charcoal is allowed. Wood can be NO GREATER than 5 INCHES in DIAMETER, construction or demolition materials shall not be burned.

What is a “completely extinguished fire?

A “Completely Extinguished Fire” means to extinguish, with water, so that it emits no smoke, heat or flames. The term does not include a buried fire.

FIRE DANGER CLASS DAY

The Forest Protection Bureau calculates the Fire Danger Class Day during the fire season. The fire danger ratings represent how fast an uncontrolled fire may spread.

• Class 1 – Low
• Class 2 – Moderate
• Class 3 – High
• Class 4 – Very High
• Class 5 – Extreme

During certain conditions, burning may be restricted by local fire wardens. Before burning, check with your local fire department or access the fire danger class day through these other methods:

Twitter: @NHForestRangers
Call: 1-866-NH-FIRES (866-643-4737