Open Burning Season Extended

The open burning season has been extended through April 18.

The open burning season had been scheduled to end on March 31, but Fire Marshal Bill Halstead said this week he has extended the season to give residents additional time to dispose of brush.

Open burning permits are issued by the town fire marshal’s office at the Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street at Fairfield Hills. Open burning permits cost $5. Office hours for the fire marshal are 7 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.  

After receiving an open burning permit, permit holders must contact the town’s emergency dispatch center at 203-270-4200 on the day of the scheduled open burning to learn if weather conditions allow such activity.

Open burning permits are intended for the burning of brush only, whose trunk size is no larger than three inches in diameter. Open burning situations must be attended at all times when burning is underway.

Open burning is not allowed in wooded areas, and it must be done at least 100 feet away from wooded areas, dried grass, and property lines. On the day scheduled for open burning, winds must range from five to 15 miles per hour.

Open burning permits will be canceled on days when the forest fire danger is listed as High or Extreme, and also during high winds. Open burning areas must be extinguished by 5 pm on the day of the permit.

Prohibited is the open burning of cut trees, stumps, roots, leaves, grass, construction materials, and garbage.

The town inspects the site of planned open burning before that burning may occur. For details on open burning permits, contact the fire marshal’s office at 203-270-4370.