Open Burning Regulations Streamline Reporting Requirements
and Limit Air Pollution from Open Burning Activities

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) open source air pollution regulations, N.H. Code of Administrative Rules Env A-1000, were adopted to lessen the administrative requirements for municipal and commercial open burning operations and to more clearly define permissible types of open burning. The regulations also include provisions to control and minimize air pollution from open burning for firefighter instruction and training purposes, and implement the 2002 state law prohibiting the backyard burning of household trash. Here are some highlights of the regulations.

General Open Burning

• Written authorization from DES is not required for open burning by any city or town of brush and/or clean untreated wood.
• Fire permits from the Community Forest Fire Warden, the State Forest Ranger, and local authorities are required (if applicable) for permissible opening burning activities, which only include the burning of brush and/or clean untreated wood.
• The following are strictly prohibited statewide:
• Residential open burning of household trash.
• Burning of tires and tubes.
• Burning for salvaging or reclaiming operations (i.e., any activity in which a used material is processed for reuse).

Firefighter Instruction and Training Burns

• A state certified fire instructor or specialty instructor must directly supervise all firefighter instruction and training activities.
• Form ARD-1003 must be submitted to DES by the fire service organization (e.g., a fire department) at least 10 days prior to the training burn, including, but not limited to, the following information:
• Detailed description of the training activities (date, time, location, etc.)
• A statement that all asbestos containing materials have been removed from structures to be burned and that an asbestos notification form has been submitted to DES at least 10 days prior to the scheduled burn date.
• A statement specifying that potentially harmful materials have been removed and properly disposed of.