PERMITs REQUIRED

Burn permits are required for all outside burning. This includes, but it not limited to, brush piles and seasonal fire pits. To obtain a permit you can visit the state's  (fees apply) or you can call the Warden using the buttons below.

Get Permit Online

Call for a Permit

Learn More About Burning

BURN PERMITS

Anyone who wishes to burn clean, ordinary combustibles such as leaves, brush or untreated lumber, or have a camp or cooking fire must have written permission from the landowner and a fire permit from the local forest fire warden or local fire department in the town or city where the fire will be kindled. You must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a written fire permit. RSA 227-L:17(II)

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 8 feet across;
2. have at least 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 10 feet above the fireplace area; and
4. be constructed so they cannot be moved from their mineral soil area. 

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What You Can Burn & When

• 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 between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm unless it is raining.
  
• When the ground where you are burning is completely covered with snow no fire permit is required. However, be sure to check local ordinances that might restrict winter-time burning.
  
• 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.
  

FAQs

Where do I obtain a fire permit?

• Fire Permits are obtained locally through the Forest Fire Warden, Deputy Warden’s and Issuing Agents. You can contact your Town Office or Fire Department to find out who your town Forest Fire Warden is.  Call us at 603.748.0332 to obtain a permit.

How much does a fire permit cost?

• There is no cost to obtain an in-person written fire permit. Permits obtain online do cost a fee. This fee is assessed for website maintenance through the State of New Hampshire and does not come from the department.

When is a fire permit required?

• A fire permit is required anytime there is not a 100 foot radius of complete snow cover around the fire.

What can be burned?

• Clean, untreated wood and brush.  Material must be no greater than 5 inches in diameter.