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Burning Permit Information

Rules and Regulations

 

**Category 1 & 2 Burning Allowed**

**Fire Danger: High**

If you do not have a valid permit for 2023, please go to the following link to the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands. Permits obtained through the NHDFL website are fee based and require a credit card for payment: Online Burn Permitting System.  Permits are also available at any of the four fire stations in town.

Note: The online permitting system charges a fee, which is payable to the NH Division of Forests and Lands, and is not managed by, nor are the fees received by, the Town of Derry.

If you have been issued a seasonal permit for this calendar year, you may call in each day for the recorded authorization to burn: (603) 432-6121, option #5. Please do not leave a message

You May Now Be Notified By Email or Text Messaging

You may now receive daily burning status notifications via email or text messaging by subscribing to the "Fire & Burning Permit Information" news feed. If you are using your text message address, be sure to include your cellular provider's information. Example: 6035551212 @ vtext.com for Verizon Wireless (This is provided as a service by the Town of Derry. The Derry Fire Department assumes no liability for undeliverable or unreceived notifications.)

Do You Tweet? You May Receive Updates Via Twitter

Log on to Twitter to receive Twitter updates from Derry Fire Department on Burning Notices and other important announcements. Find Derry Fire on Twitter by clicking here.

State of New Hampshire Rules and Regulations

  • "Open Burning" means the burning of any material wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed container.
  • A Category I Fire is a camp or cooking fire no greater than 2 ft. in diameter contained within a fire resistive ring. A Category I fire must be at least 25’ from structures. This would also include commercially made fire pits, chimneys, and outdoor fireplaces. These fires may be kindled at any time, conditions permitting.
  • A Category II Fire is a camp or cooking fire no greater than 4 ft. in diameter contained within a fire resistive ring. A Category II or greater fire must be at least 50’ from structures. These fires may only be kindled between the hours of 5:00 pm and 9:00 am, unless it is actively raining or the ground is snow covered.
  • A Category III Fire means any other fire that is greater than 4 ft. in diameter or not contained in a fire resistive ring, such as an open brush/debris pile fire. These fires may only be kindled between the hours of 5:00 pm and 9:00 am, unless it is actively raining or the ground is snow covered.
  • Brush and wood cannot exceed 5 inches in diameter. No household waste, treated wood, or composite materials may be burned. Only clean, untreated, and non-contaminated wood may be burned. No construction debris may be burned.
  • Even when it is actively raining a permit is always required.
  • When the ground is snow-covered, a permit is NOT required.
  • Permittee must be at least 18 years old, and the legal landowner or have the landowner’s written approval.
  • No accelerants, tires, or tubes are to be used in the material being burned.
  • All open fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is completely extinguished. A buried fire is not considered extinguished.
  • “Completely extinguished” means to be extinguished so that it emits no smoke, heat, or flames.
  • Permittee must have proper suppression equipment to maintain control of the fire at all times.
  • Incinerator permits are no longer allowed, per RSA 125-N.