Burn Permits


Today's Burning Status:  Open Burning has concluded for 2023. 


The Boxborough Fire Department has instituted a new system for requesting and activating burn permits this year. Residents no longer need to come to the station to get an initial permit. Instead, each day that residents would like to burn, they should return to this website to check to see if burning is allowed.

If burning is allowed, residents are required to fill out the form each day that they would like to burn. The form will be published each day that burning is allowed. Alternatively, you can call the Fire Department at 978-264-1770 to activate your permit.


Daily Permit Registration

Register for open burning (LINK WILL ONLY WORK ON DAYS WHEN OPEN BURNING IS PERMITTING).

Open Burning Rules & Regulations

Burning is only permitted between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.

Allowed

  • Burning (with a permit) of the following material is allowed; brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing.
  • Burning must take place on land closest to the source of material to be burned.

Not Allowed

  • No: Less than 75 feet away from all dwellings.
  • No: Brush, trees, cane or driftwood from commercial or industrial land clearing, may be burned.
  • No: Grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires.
  • No: Construction materials, demolition debris, or household trash.
  • Anyone found in violation, could be held liable for firefighting costs, as well as face fines or jail time, if you burn illegally or allow a fire to get out of control (M.G.L. c48, s.13).

To learn more about Open Burning please visit, Massachusetts Open Burning Permits and Restrictions.

Starting the Fire

  • An adult must always be present and attend the fire until it is completely extinguished.
  • 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, small amounts of kerosene, Number 2 fuel is the safest.

While Burning

  • You must have a hose or other supply of water and a shovel or rake for controlling the fire.
  • Never add brush that is green or wet. It will reduce the efficiency of the fire and produce thick smoke.
  • An adult must attend the fire until it’s completely out.

Putting the Fire out

  • Fires must be extinguished at 4 pm.
  • Burn the fire down to the coals, drown them with water, spread them out, then drown them again.