|
Contact:
|
Michael Dondiego, Chief
|
|
Address:
|
51 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098 |
|
Non-Emergencies:
|
(413) 238-4445
|
|
Emergencies:
|
911
|
|
Fax:
|
(413) 238-0221
|
|
Office Hours:
|
Meeting 1st Monday of every month at
7:00 PM |
Quarterly Reports
2021 Shared Fire Services Report
Brush Burning Season
January 15th thru April 30th
Go online to request a Burn Permit, via smartphone or computer at:
https://www.hcburnpermits.com/
You can visit this site between 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM to obtain a permit on the day you want to burn brush. Permit availability depends on weather conditions.
If burning permits are granted, Burning will be allowed to start at 10:00am and must be extinguished by 4pm.
Burn Guidelines:
- No less than 75 feet away from all dwellings;
- On your own property and as close as possible to the source of material(s) to be burned;
- The fire is constantly monitored by an adult. Leaving burning unattended is a reason to revoke burning permits; and
- Fire suppression tools are handy: Keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose charged with water, and a shovel and rake close by.
How to Safely Burn Brush:
- Use paper and kindling to start a fire and add progressively larger pieces of wood. Parts of a leftover Christmas tree may also be used.
- Never use gasoline, kerosene or any other flammable liquid to start a fire! The risk of personal injury in these cases is very high.
- Burn one small pile at a time and slowly add to it. This will help keep the fire from getting out of control.
- Select a location away from utility lines.
- Burn the fire down to the coals, drown them with water, spread them out, then drown them again.
Fire Control Tools and Water Supply Must Be Present
You are required to have a water supply and fire control tools on hand. The water supply can be a pressurized fire extinguisher, a pump can or garden hose, and be sure to test it out before igniting the fire to be sure it works properly. Also, if relying on a garden hose double-check that the water supply is turned on and that there are no cracks in the hose itself.
Don’t Delay a Call for Help
If the fire should get out of control, call the fire department immediately. “Once started, winds fan the flames and fire can spread faster than a person can run,†said Coan. Use the utmost caution to prevent injury to yourself or family members or any damage by fire to your home.
Watch the Wind: Be Prepared to Extinguish All Open Burning
It is unsafe to burn during high winds. Use common sense and don’t wait for the fire department to contact you that is has become unsafe to burn. Sudden wind change is how most open burning gets out of control.
April Has Most Brush Fires
In 2013, there were 4,612 brush fires reported to the Mass. Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS) that caused three civilian deaths, one civilian injury, and 26 firefighter injuries. April is historically the month with the most brush fires as the snow pack recedes, the ground has not greened up, and people are engaged in open burning as part of the spring clean-up.
For more information visit the Massachusetts Fire Marshal’s webpage.