Burn permits are available January 15 – May 1 between 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM, depending on weather conditions and subject to certain requirements. Residents of Bernardston and most other Franklin County communities can obtain a permit by calling the Franklin County Dispatcher (Shelburne Control) at (413) 625-8200.
The website lists the following regulations:
- You may only burn BRUSH! All other materials are illegal. No leaves, grass, hay, stumps, building debris or any other materials are allowed to be burned.
- All open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from buildings or structures.
- Burning will be allowed to start at 10:00am and must be extinguished by 4pm.
- Any open fire must be attended at all times by the permit holder.
- No person shall set, maintain or increase a fire in open air at any time except by permission.
- You must be 18 years or older to apply for permit and/or set, maintain or increase fire once permission has been granted by the Fire Department.
- You must have an appropriate means to extinguish an open air fire completely at the end of the day or if requested by the Fire Department.
- The Fire Department can refuse or cancel a permit at any time. (Example: Violation of permit regulations, or change in weather conditions.)
- Open burning season is January 15 – May 1.
- Massachusetts Regulation 310 CMR: DEP 7.07 “Open Burning”
- More information from the Massachusetts DEP.