Why Burn Permits Are Required
Open-air burning (brush piles, leaves, wood piles, bonfires, etc.) is regulated under Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) law. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-12-6, burning flammable material on or adjacent to forest land — or open-air fires generally — requires a written permit. Justia
Additionally, state regulations require that permitted fires be attended at all times, and properly extinguished before leaving the site.
Because of this, anyone considering an open burn in Chopmist Hill VFD’s coverage area should obtain a permit before starting.
What is Covered by Permits
Typical situations that require a permit include:
Burning brush, leaves, wood piles or waste vegetation.
Bonfires or open wood fires for disposal or clearing purposes.
Any “open-air fire” not fully enclosed (i.e. not in a fully enclosed fireplace or incinerator).
What you generally may not burn:
Treated/painted/chemical-treated wood, construction materials, plastics, rubber, tires, garbage, or other hazardous waste. Burning these is prohibited due to toxic fumes or environmental risk.
Fires that are unattended, or that pose a hazard to nearby structures, property lines, or forest/brush land. Fires must be carefully controlled.
When Permits Are Issued & Restrictions
Because of seasonal and environmental conditions, permits are often regulated depending on weather, season, and local fire danger.
For example:
During dry or high-risk periods, permits may not be issued or may be cancelled to prevent wildfire danger.
Even when permitted, the fire must be constantly attended, and water or other fire-extinguishing equipment must be readily available.
How to Get a Permit (or Check Burning Status)
If you live in the area served by Chopmist Hill VFD and wish to conduct open burning:
Contact CHVFD (Chief Keith Brown, (401) 349-7543) on the day you wish to burn to request a burn permit — never assume it is allowed without approval.
Provide your name, address, property location, and a description of what you plan to burn (brush, leaves, wood, etc.).
Ensure you own the property (or have owner permission) where burning will occur.
Only clean, untreated wood / vegetation may be burned. Treated wood, construction debris, trash, and hazardous materials are not permitted under a standard burn permit.
Be prepared to meet safety requirements — maintain a water supply (hose, buckets, tanker, etc.), supervise the fire until fully extinguished, and avoid burning on days of high fire danger or poor atmospheric conditions.
Important: Because weather and fire-danger conditions can change, the permit — if issued — is often valid only for the day it's issued. On days of elevated risk, permits may be denied or revoked by the department.
What Happens If Burning Without a Permit
State law imposes penalties for unauthorized open burning. Under § 2-12-6, violators may face fines and/or imprisonment if they burn without a permit or fail to properly extinguish a fire. Justia
Unauthorized burns also risk causing wildfires, property damage, or injury — and may result in liability for suppression costs and damages.
Always call CHVFD before you burn — thank you for helping us keep our community and natural resources safe.