PUBLIC NOTICE

November 4, 2024

Subject: Burn Ban

Effective immediately there is a ban on any outdoor burning of any kind during elevated fire weather warnings issued by the National Weather Service, the Department of Conservation, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, or the Massachusetts Fire Marshall’s office.

There is an immediate ban on cooking fires, fire pits, agricultural burning, and an existing restriction on brush burning and recreational fires.

It is the fire department’s duty to protect life, property, and the environment of the Town of Hatfield. It is the Fire Chiefs duty to enforce fire code and interpret when it is too dangerous to burn as the authority having jurisdiction over fire protection of the town. Fire departments have the right to make entry on property wherever and whenever there is a potential fire hazard, medical emergency, code violation, hazard, or other dangerous situations that may require our specialized skills and training to resolve.

Brush season information:

The Open Burning Season in Massachusetts starts January 15 and ends May 1. In many communities, residents may burn tree limbs, brush and other organic debris, remnants of storms and winter winds in order to clean up their yards. What can be burned, when, and under what conditions is regulated, because of the health and safety risks associated with the burning. Open Burning is addressed by the Dept. of Fire Services as a public safety issue, and by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs because of air quality issues. The Department of Environmental Protection offers “Guidance for Adopting Municipal Regulation to Control Air Pollution under M.G.L. chapter 111, section 31C.” Cities and Towns adopting regulations to control air pollution need to comply with the statute. If allowed, the open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from all buildings and must be conducted between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to DEP Regulations at 310 CMR 7.07.

Questions regarding this posting may be directed to:

Robert Flaherty

Fire Chief

413-247-9008