The Town of Stoneham allows open burning with a permit granted by the Stoneham Fire Department. Rules for open burning are set forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and can be found at http://ow.ly/RrQb30n9bLj. Open Burning may be suspended by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection due to weather or atmospheric conditions. DEP provides updates for these conditions at their air quality website: http://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/dep/massair/web/#/pollution/map/max. Permits are obtained by calling the Stoneham Fire Department at 781-438-0127.
Open Burning is permitted with a permit so long as burning is:
Done without creating a nuisance
With smoke minimizing starters if used
Conducted between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM from January 15 to May 1.
At least 75 feet from all buildings
As close as possible to the source of material being burned
THE STONEHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT/CANCEL ANY BURNING PERMIT
Permits may be issued for: Only certain materials such as brush, cane driftwood, and forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing operations. Agricultural materials such as fruit tree and bush pruning, raspberry stalks, and infected bee hives for disease control. Trees and brush resulting from agricultural land clearing. Fungus infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposable is available.
Burling leaves and other materials is prohibited. Also prohibited are: brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing operations. Grass, hay, leaves, stumps and tires. Construction materials and debris.
FIRES MUST BE ATTENDED AT ALL TIMES UNTIL EXTINGUISHED BY AN ADULT
Fires must be attended until completely extinguished. People conducting illegal burning, or who allow a fire to get out of control, may be held liable for the costs of extinguishing the fire in addition to fines and/or imprisonment. (M.G.L. c.48, s.13)