Wildfire Zones: Boston vs Chelsea
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Boston, MA and Chelsea, MA?
Boston and Chelsea have similar restriction levels.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
Boston is a dense urban city with no designated wildfire hazard zones. State and Commonwealth forest-fire mapping does not identify WUI areas within the city limits.
View full Boston rules →Chelsea, MA
Suffolk County
Suffolk County is urban and not designated as a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area — wildfire hazard zone regulations used in western states do not apply. MA enforces statewide open-burning rules (MGL c. 48, §13) and 527 CMR 1.00 fire safety code. Open burning is banned year-round in Boston, Chelsea, and most of Suffolk County due to urban density.
View full Chelsea rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| WUI Designation | None in Boston | None (urban county) |
| State Open Burn Season | Jan 15 to May 1 | - |
| At-Risk Parks | Franklin, Stony Brook | - |
| Response | Boston Fire Department | - |
| Open Burning | - | Year-round ban all 4 cities |
| State Code | - | 527 CMR 1.00 |
| Open Burn Law | - | MGL c. 48, §13 |
| Defensible Space | - | Not required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
Chelsea FAQ
Do I need to maintain defensible space in Boston?
No. Suffolk County has no wildfire hazard zones. Open burning is banned year-round, and typical wildfire defensible-space rules do not apply.
Who enforces wildfire zones rules in Suffolk County?
Suffolk County's code enforcement division is responsible for fire ordinances. You can report violations or request information through the Suffolk County government website or by calling the main municipal line.
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