Bourne, MA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 48 Section 13, no person may set, maintain, or increase a fire in the open air without permission from the local forest warden or fire chief. Bourne issues open-burning permits seasonally (typically January 15 through May 1, the state-mandated brush-burning window). Permit conditions: fires can only burn between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., must be fully out and cool to the touch no later than 4 p.m., must be at least 75 feet from any building, structure, fence, or combustible material, and must be supervised at all times. No gasoline, kerosene, or other accelerant may be used to start the fire. Only brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris from clearing operations may be burned — leaves, grass, hay, stumps, and construction/demolition materials are state-prohibited. Recreational fires (small wood-burning fire pits, chimineas) on private property are allowed without a permit if at grade on a non-combustible surface and 10+ feet from any combustible material.