Foster Center, RI Fire Regulations: Fire Pit Rules (2026)

Foster Center is part of the Town of Foster, RI. The town operates the Foster Center Fire Department (Station #3) on Foster Center Road. Open burning of brush is regulated by both state law (Rhode Island Fire Safety Code, 450-RICR-00-00-7) and the Rhode Island DEM Division of Forest Environment. A burning permit from the Town of Foster Police/Fire Department is required for any open burning, and the RI DEM issues a daily classification (Class 1-4) based on weather and humidity — burning is restricted or prohibited on Class 3 or 4 days. Open burning is permitted only during daylight hours and only for brush originating on the permit-holder's property; burning of leaves, grass, trash, demolition or construction debris, treated lumber, and household waste is prohibited under RI DEM Air Pollution Regulation 12 and the state Fire Safety Code. Recreational fires under the RI Fire Code may be allowed without a permit if (a) the fuel area is no larger than 3 ft × 2 ft, (b) the fire is at least 25 ft from any structure or combustible material (15 ft for an approved container or barbecue pit), (c) the fire is constantly attended, (d) only clean dry wood or charcoal is burned, and (e) extinguishing equipment is on site. Foster's rural location means brush burning is more commonly authorized than in coastal RI towns, but the seasonal RI DEM brush-burning restrictions (mid-May through October) typically prohibit residential brush burning during dry-weather months. For Foster Center, contact Fire Chief Will Paul or Station #3 to obtain the daily permit and DEM classification.