Sunapee Fire Department Reminds Residents Burn Permits Required Before Outdoor Fires
A brush pile fire on Garnet Street prompted the Sunapee Fire Department to remind residents that burning without a permit carries fines up to $2,000 or a year in jail.
The Sunapee Fire Department responded Sunday to a brush pile burning at a home on Garnet Street, using the incident as a springboard for a broader public warning: as snow melts this spring, any outdoor fire lit without a permit is a violation of state law.
The department's reminder is straightforward. Once the ground is no longer covered by snow, a fire permit is required before lighting any outdoor fire. That threshold applies continuously through the burn season, meaning a warm stretch that exposes bare ground triggers the requirement even if snow returns days later.
Violations carry serious consequences. Anyone caught burning without a permit could face a fine of up to $2,000, a prison sentence of up to one year, or both.
Beyond the permit requirement itself, firefighters warned against burning materials that can release toxic fumes or create uncontrollable fires. Plywood, painted wood, treated wood, trash, and any plastic- or wax-coated materials are all on the prohibited list. Those restrictions apply regardless of whether a permit has been obtained.
The advisory came amid dry conditions, which heighten the risk that an unsupervised or unpermitted fire can spread beyond its intended area.
Permits can be obtained and additional information found at nh.burnsafeamerica.com, the state's designated outdoor burn permit portal.
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