BURN PERMITS

According to the provisions of New Hampshire RSA 227-L:17(II), Woodland Fire Control, anyone wishing to kindle any fire shall obtain a written permit from the Forest Fire Warden in the town or city where the fire will be kindled. You may only burn clean, ordinary combustibles such as leaves, brush or untreated lumber. You must be 18 of age to obtain a written fire permit.

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding burn permits:

How do I obtain a burn permit?
If you wish to obtain a permit, contact the Lee Fire Department at 659-5411.

Town Fire Warden: Peter Hoyt, 659-7790
Deputy Fire Warden: Joe Lombardo, 659-7203
Deputy Fire Warden: Jim Brown, 396-3733
Deputy Fire Warden: Mark Kustra, 659-2442
Deputy Fire Warden: Scott Nemet, 292-5007
Deputy Fire Warden: Phil Stetson, 817-7081

What can I burn?
Only leaves, woody debris or brush less than 5 inches in diameter, or untreated wood and dimension lumber can be burned. Air quality regulations restrict the type of material burned in the open. Stumps, painted or treated lumber, tires, tubes, plastics, foam rubber and shingles are some of the prohibited materials. For more information, visit the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services website: http://www.des.state.nh.us/

When can I burn?
No open burning is permitted between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm unless it is raining. If you begin burning in the rain between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, you must extinguish the fire if it stops raining and resume after 5:00 pm.

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Can I ever burn without a permit?
Generally, no. For any open burning a written fire permit is required - even in the rain. The only exception is when the ground is completely covered in snow. In those instances a permit is not required. If you're unsure, call the Town Fire Warden.

Are campground owners required to obtain a permit?
Yes, there are special provisions for campgrounds. Public or privately owned camp or picnic grounds must obtain an annual written fire permit from the Town Forest Fire Warden for use of outside fireplaces, camp or cooking fires used in the operation of the camp or picnic grounds. Such camp or cooking fires should:

1. Be in an area cleaned to mineral soil at least eight (8) feet across
2. Have at least six (6) inches of sand or gravel under the fire for any fire built on the ground
3. Have no limbs or other burnable material to a height of ten (10) feet above the fireplace area
4. Be constructed so they cannot be moved from their mineral soil area

Before requesting a permit, take a moment to ask yourself the following questions:

What are you going to burn?
Material must be clean, ordinary combustibles. Brush cannot exceed 5 inches in diameter.

How much help will you have during the burn?
Your fire must be attended at all times, or completely extinguished.

Where are you going to burn?
How far from the nearest structure, trees and dead vegetation or overhead phone or power lines? Fires must be no closer than 50 feet from a structure, or 25 feet if in an approved incinerator.

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Do you own the land where you plan to burn?
If not, do you have written permission from the landowner?

When do you want to burn?
You’ll need to know the date and time of day you plan to burn. No burning between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm unless it is raining (a permit is still required).

Will you be able to extinguish your fire if someone complains?
Air pollution officials could require a fire be put out if there are smoke complaints.

What do you have for fire protection?
A hose, shovel or rake, and a bucket of water should be available at the fire. You are liable for the costs of extinguishing escaped fires.

Are there any tires or tubes in the material to be burned?
Tires, tubes, plastics, shingles, and foam rubber are just some of the prohibited materials.

Remember... It's the law!

Any person violating the permit law and its provisions and any person who willfully or recklessly kindles a fire that endangers woodlands, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,000.00 and/or up to one year in jail.