Burning Permits
Burn Permits in the Town of North Yarmouth:
April 1st 2023, North Yarmouth Fire will only be using the Maine Open Burn Permit site to issue burn permits
Burning Permits are available thru the Maine State Forest Service @ https://apps1.web.maine.gov/burnpermit/public/index.html for no cost
If you do not have internet access, Please call the station @ 207-829-3025. Leave a voice message for Chief Payson. This will go directly to his email and he will respond as soon as he gets the voice message. The station is staffed daily from 07:00-17:00 everyday. In the case they are not there, please call the Fire Rescue Station and Chief Payson will work with you to get you a permit in a timely fashion.
New Open Burning Law in Maine Requires Permits for Larger Campfires
October 24, 2023
For more information contact: Kent Nelson at: (207) 287-4989
AUGUSTA - To enhance fire safety and prevent wildfires, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is implementing a new law that mandates burn permits for larger campfires. The law, LD 24, goes into effect on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, and will impact fires that exceed 3 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter that are not for debris disposal. Notably, permits for burning brush and wood debris remain unaffected and are still required under the existing regulations. The new law also makes it unlawful for burning outdoors during red flag warning days.
Maine residents and visitors planning fires larger than the specified dimensions, often referred to as "bonfires," will be required to obtain burn permits. These permits are available free of charge and can be secured online after 9 a.m. at maineburnpermit.com.
This new regulation aims to mitigate the risk of larger campfires getting out of control and causing wildfires. By requiring permits for this type of fire, the state hopes to ensure fire safety measures are in place, reducing the potential for fire-related emergencies.
Spearheaded by DACF's Maine Forest Service (MFS), Maine Forest Rangers launched an informational campaign to create public awareness about this significant change. An awareness campaign will continue through Spring 2024. The Rangers are actively engaging with communities across the state to educate and inform the public about the new law.
Rangers have distributed brochures and displayed informative posters at various events, including recent Fire Prevention Week open houses.
A poster detailing the law's specifics is available as a downloadable PDF on the DACF Forest Protection Division webpage.
The MFS worked closely with InforME (Information Resource of Maine) to update the online burn permit system to accommodate the changes necessitated by LD 24.
The MFS is committed to answering any questions and addressing concerns from the public regarding this new law. For additional information and updates regarding the new open burning law in Maine, please follow the Maine Forest Ranger and DACF Facebook pages.
For inquiries: Kent Nelson, MFS Forest Ranger Specialist, 207-287-4989.
The Maine Forest Service, a division of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, is dedicated to the stewardship and protection of the state's forests. Forest Heath and Monitoring, Forest Policy and Management, and Forest Protection teams work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of Maine's residents, visitors, and natural resources. The implementation of LD 24 is a crucial step toward promoting responsible open burning practices and safeguarding the environment.
Burning Permits are available at no charge at:
Town Office Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Fire Rescue Station Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (as staffing permits)
Permits must be obtained on the day of the burn after 09:00AM. All Fires must be out no later than midnight of the day of the burn permit was issued.
Rules on Open Burning and Burn Permits
The information contained in this brochure has been taken from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Regulations Chapter 102: OPEN BURNING
The following types of burning are permitted as long as you have a Burn Permit:
1. Recreational campfires kindled when the ground is not covered in snow.
2. Fires in conjunction with holiday and festive celebration as long as the materials conform to item 5. of this section below.
3. Burning of solid or liquid fuels and structures for the purpose of research or bona fide
instruction and training of …volunteer firefighters…
4. Burning for agricultural purposes…
5. Out-of-door burning of wood wastes and painted* and unpainted wood from demolition in the open…
6. Open burning of leaves, brush, deadwood and tree cuttings…
7. Burning on site for the disposal of wood wastes and painted* and unpainted wood from construction and demolition debris…
8. Burning of vegetative growth for hazardous abatement purposes, such as, but not limited to, the burning of grass fields.
9. Burning for the containment or control of spills of gasoline, kerosene, heating oil or similar petroleum product.
10. The burning of wood wastes and painted* and unpainted wood from construction and demolition debris at solid waste facilities…
11. The burning of empty containers, including fiberboard boxes and paper bags, previously containing explosives and being disposed of in accordance with the provisions of Maine Revised Statutes Title 25, section 2472.
12. Explosives being disposed of under the direct supervision and control of the State Fire Marshal.
When burning painted wood, “a person engaged in any renovation, remodeling, maintenance or repair project involving lead-based paint …shall take reasonable precautions to prevent the release of lead into the environment, including the clean-up, removal, and
appropriate disposal of all visible lead- based paint debris generated by the project.
NOTE: Paper or cardboard may be burned as kindling, only in amounts necessary to ensure ignition of fires pursuant to the rules stated previously..
Burning of trash or non-wood materials is prohibited!
Burn Barrels are not permitted in the Town of North Yarmouth per State Law
Before you burn –
Check the weather. You can see if burning may be permissible at:
http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/fire danger/fire.shtml
Burning is permissible in North Yarmouth only on Class 1 or Class 2 days and when winds are below 15MPH
1) Plan your burn
2) Ensure you have enough adults present to safely do the burn.
3) Have the tools and water on-hand before you begin the burn.
4) Get your Burn Permit.
5) Have a means of communication ready in case the fire gets out of control.
Remember: Permitted or not – The person who started the fire is responsible for any and all damage caused by that fire.
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