FIRE PERMIT REGULATIONS

Burning Permits and Outdoor Burning

Like all New Hampshire towns, Allenstown has a Forest Fire Warden. As typical and practical, the Fire Chief is generally assigned that role. The Forest Fire Warden, in conjunction with the State Forest Ranger, is charged with enforcing the New Hampshire laws that concern open burning. These laws not only protect the woodlands from fire but also protect the environment from pollution.

The state of New Hampshire requires that you have a permit to do any open burning. A permit may be obtained by anyone who owns the property to be burned on, on the day you wish to burn. Permits are issued during normal business hours at the Fire Station, which are Monday through Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM.

Seasonal permits are available for outdoor fireplaces. An inspection of the site is required and the permit is valid for the year.

Open Burning Regulations Summery

PERMITS:

  1. Must have written permit unless ground is snow-covered.
  2. Permits only valid for burning after 5 pm unless it is steadily raining.
  3. Issued only on the day burning to take place.
  4. Permits can only be issued to property owner or others with written permission of owner.
  5. Not needed for charcoal cooking if in fireplace or other suitable container off ground.
  6. Seasonal permits need site inspection by the Fire Warden or designee.
  7. May be revoked by the Fire Warden or designee if weather changes, or fire is reported as a nuisance.

WHAT CAN WE BURN:
  1. Clean materials only. No tires, roofing, flammable liquids, plastics, paints, etc.
  2. Nothing over 5" diameter.
  3. Burning in a barrel is not permitted.
  4. Residential trash burning is not permitted

WHERE BURNING CAN TAKE PLACE:
  1. Not less than 50 feet from structures.
  2. Areas that will not be a nuisance.
  3. Fire Department may check area prior to issuing permit.

GENERAL SAFETY:
  1. The permitee must be prepared to extinguish fire with garden hose, water buckets, hand tools, etc.
  2. It is suggested that your fire be started small and materials added to.
  3. Provision must be made to prevent fire from spreading to within 50 feet from structure.
  4. Fire must be attended until completely extinguished. No smoke, embers or flame.
  5. Burying a fire does not extinguish a fire.

LIABILITIES:

Any person causing or kindling a fire without a written permit, when such permit is required, and any person whose negligence is liable in a civil action for payment to the town, state or United States or any or all of the same expenses incurred by the Forest Fire Warden or Deputy Warden in attending or extinguishing such fire.

PENALTIES:

Any person violating the permit law and its provisions, and any person who willfully or recklessly kindles a fire that endangers the woodlands, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2000 and / or up to one (1) year in jail, or both.

Since people cause most wildfires, we all have a part in preventing them. We can be more careful ourselves. And whoever we are and wherever we are, we can influence others to use more care with fires.

Remember, a little extra care takes only a few minutes of your time. And it could prevent a wildfire.

For additional information, contact the Fire Department during normal business hours.