Can I have a bonfire?

No. Each town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is allowed one bonfire per year by state law. Your chances of securing permission are very small. Any permitted requires the supervision by Department personnel until extinguished.

The laws governing Open-Air Fires come from both The Board of Fire Regulations CMR 527 and The Department of Environmental Protection DEP (310 CMR DEP 7.07). First and foremost the law empowers the head of the Fire Department to abate any condition he or she feels is a danger or nuisance to the community, that he or she is sworn to protect. There are provisions in the law that allow for an annual bon fire, burning brush in the spring, burning Christmas trees and having campfires.

These provisions grant the head of the Fire Department that latitude to allow these activities in their community. Because the State and the Massachusetts DEP have given permission for these types of activities it does not mean they are a matter of right for the community. The head of the Fire Department has the discretion to make policy and rules as he or she sees fit, in the interest of public safety.

The rules for Hull are:

• We have an annual bonfire at Thanksgiving.
• Burning season for brush is from January 15th to May 1st. (Permit Required).
• We do not burn Christmas trees we collect them.
• We do not permit campfires.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact this office by phone, as well as email.

01/2017