It's Illegal to Burn This Type of Material in Massachusetts

Considering the fact that summer is coming to an end here in the Baystate. The time of year where we enjoy big bonfires with our friends and have a great time this Labor Day Weekend. It's also where we are permitted to burn unwanted materials in an open firepit. However, before you decide to go and light a match outside in your pit, it's a good idea to know these laws and safety regulations according to Mass.gov.

The list of these things you can burn or cannot burn are at as follows, but I have to admit I have broken some of these regulations before. Please don't tell the Fire Marshal. LOL.

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You are allowed to burn:

Brush, cane, driftwood and forestry debris (but not from commercial or industrial land clearing)
Agricultural materials including fruit tree and bush pruning's, raspberry stalks, and infected beehives for disease control.
Trees and brush from agricultural land clearing
Fungus-infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal is available.

You may not burn:

Leaves
Brush, trees, cane or driftwood from commercial or industrial land clearing
Grass, hay, leaves, stumps or tires
Construction materials or demolition debris
Household trash - Mass.gov

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If you're looking to enjoy a small firepit and even roast marshmallows, you're in luck as long as they are kept to a reasonable size and supervised by an adult 18 years or older. Some cities and towns regulate, limit or prohibit the use of chimineas, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces. To find out if your community has any specific requirements, contact your local fire department.

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NOTE: IT'S ILLEGAL TO LIGHT A BONFIRE IN THESE MASSACHUSSETTS TOWNS AND CITIES:

It's Illegal to Spark a Bonfire in These 22 Massachusetts Communities

There's nothing better than lighting up a nice bonfire on a warm summer night. But depending on where you live in Massachusetts, it actually could be illegal to do just that. Naturally, there are exceptions to every rule, and bonfires being used for outdoor cooking are allowed, but exceptions aside, 22 cities and towns across the Bay State have prohibited open burning year-round because they're just too densely-built and populated for burning to be considered safe. Is your community on the list?

Gallery Credit: Kari Jakobsen

WHILE WILDFIRES ARE NOT COMMON IN THE BAYSTATE, THESE SAFETY TIPS ARE GOOD TO KNOW:

10 Tips To Prevent Wildfires

Smokey The Bear said it best, "only you can prevent wildfires." Well, it's a lot easier said than done, Smokey. Great name for a bear trying to warn us about fire hazards, by the way.

In order to prevent wildfires, you have to first know how they can be prevented. Here are 10 tips provided by the Department Of Interior that will help you in your every day life, so you can enjoy being outside, camping, and having bonfires without it turning into a problem.

Here are their 10 tips, along with some simplified explanations from me.

Gallery Credit: Cort Freeman