Wildfire Zones: Manchester vs Nashua
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Manchester, NH and Nashua, NH?
Nashua has fewer restrictions than Manchester.
Manchester, NH
Hillsborough County
Manchester may have wildfire hazard zones requiring defensible space around structures, fire-resistant building materials, and vegetation management.
View full Manchester rules →Nashua, NH
Hillsborough County
Nashua is a built-out southern New Hampshire suburban city with no formally mapped wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones and no stand-alone wildfire hazard ordinance. Wildfire risk inside the city is generally low compared with northern New Hampshire forest country, but vegetation along Mine Falls Park, the Nashua River corridor, the Pennichuck Brook watershed, and the Merrimack River edge can carry fire in drought conditions. State-level wildfire authority comes from RSA Chapter 227-L (Woodland Fire Control), administered by the NH Division of Forests and Lands, with the Nashua Fire Chief serving as the City Forest Fire Warden. The NH Forest Fire Danger ranking (Class I Low through Class V Extreme) can trigger statewide or regional burn suspensions independent of city permits.
View full Nashua rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Manchester | Nashua |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | 0 to 30 feet clearance | - |
| Zone 2 | 30 to 100 feet reduced fuel | - |
| Materials | Fire-resistant may be required | - |
| Insurance | May require compliance | - |
| Formal WUI Map | - | None |
| City Wildfire Ordinance | - | None (relies on state law) |
| State Authority | - | RSA Chapter 227-L (Woodland Fire Control) |
| Local Forest Fire Warden | - | Nashua Fire Chief |
| Fire Danger Suspensions | - | Class V Extreme = burning suspended |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Manchester FAQ
How much defensible space do I need?
Typically 30 feet of lean/clean zone and 100 feet of reduced fuel zone around structures in Manchester wildfire areas.
Is my property in a wildfire zone?
Check with Manchester fire department or your state wildfire hazard map. Real estate disclosures must include wildfire zone status.
Nashua FAQ
Is Nashua in a wildfire hazard zone?
Not in any formally mapped sense. Nashua has no city WUI hazard map, and New Hampshire has not adopted a statewide WUI hazard overlay. Wildfire risk in built-out southern NH is comparatively low, though the Mine Falls Park, Pennichuck Brook, and Merrimack River vegetated corridors can carry fire in drought conditions. State authority comes from RSA Chapter 227-L.
What wildfire rules apply in Nashua?
RSA Chapter 227-L (Woodland Fire Control) plus the New Hampshire State Fire Code (NFPA 1, 2021 ed., adopted under RSA 153). Locally, Nashua City Code Chapter 110 (Burning, Open) requires a permit for outdoor burning, and the Nashua Fire Chief serves as the City Forest Fire Warden under RSA 227-L:5. The NH Division of Forests and Lands publishes daily Fire Danger ratings; Class V Extreme days suspend permitted burning.
Who manages forest fire risk around Nashua?
The Nashua Fire Chief acts as the City Forest Fire Warden under RSA 227-L. The NH Division of Forests and Lands (Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) coordinates statewide forest-fire suppression and detection. Inside city limits, Nashua Fire Rescue handles initial response. For an active fire, call 911.
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