Suffolk County, MA Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

Suffolk County contains no designated wildfire hazard zones. MA has limited wildland-urban interface concerns concentrated in the central and western parts of the state (managed by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation Bureau of Forest Fire Control). Suffolk County — comprising Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, and tiny portions — is entirely urban or suburban with minimal forested land. No defensible-space requirements like those in California or Colorado apply. Fire risk management focuses instead on building density, urban interface with parks and reservations (Franklin Park, Boston Common, Belle Isle Marsh, Revere Beach State Reservation), and fireworks/open burning bans. MGL c. 48, §13 governs open burning statewide — requires fire warden permit, allowed only January 15 through May 1, 10 AM to 4 PM, and banned year-round in Boston, Chelsea, Cambridge, Somerville, and approximately 40 other cities. Revere and Winthrop also prohibit open burning. 527 CMR 1.00 (MA Comprehensive Fire Safety Code) applies statewide, including Chapter 10 (Means of Egress) and Chapter 11 (Features of Fire Protection). Grass fires in undeveloped coastal/marsh areas (Belle Isle Marsh, Rumney Marshes) are addressed by the local fire department with state assistance. Fire-resistant construction is required in all multi-family buildings per 780 CMR Chapter 7. New construction in the Coastal Flood Resilience Overlay District must consider combined wind/wildfire/flood risk. Property owners remain responsible for maintaining defensible conditions around structures — dead brush removal, trimming branches from chimneys, and keeping debris away from decks.