A "Permit to Kindle Fire” is required from the Town Forest Fire Warden for burning untreated wood, brush, leaves, weeds, or grass, unless there is 200 feet of separation from the burn site and any flammable materials or there is snow on the site. The Fire Warden may refuse to issue a permit if, in their judgment, the weather or the site conditions create a dangerous situation.
The Town Forest Fire Warden is responsible for the issuance of burning permits. In the Town of Bristol, the Fire Chief is the appointed Fire Warden. The Deputy Fire Chief is authorized to issue burning permits as a “Key Person”, on behalf of the Fire Warden.
| Fire Warden | Brett LaRose, Chief | 802-798-2673 | [email protected] |
| Fire Warden - Key Person | Eric Forand, Deputy Chief | 802-585-0633 | [email protected] |
The Town of Bristol does allow Open Burning, however there are State Regulations regarding what materials may be burned, the size and location of the fire, along with other safety considerations.
The Bristol Fire Warden issues permits to burn natural wood products in accordance with the regulations set forth by the VT Department of Forest & Parks, however the VT DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) has Air Pollution Control Regulations that dictate what materials can be burned.
Please read the information below to determine if you are required to obtain a "Burn Permit” prior to burning:There is no fee associated with burn permits, the purpose of a burn permit is to ensure that citizens are informed about the rules related to open burning in Bristol, and to inform the Fire Department as to when and where open burning - that may result in 911 calls from concerned neighbors or passing motorists, will occur.
Often a permit can be issued verbally over the phone.
Only natural wood may be burned. This includes the burning of; firewood, leaves, brush, deadwood, tree cuttings, weeds, untreated lumber (such as untreated shipping pallets).
The following is a short list of common items that are Illegal to burn:- Paper & cardboard
- Tires & other rubber products
- Treated, painted, or finished wood
- Plywood
- Waste oil or solvents
- Tarpaper or asphalt shingles
- Plastics
- Garbage
- Ensure the location you select is a safe distance from any building, or overhead hazards (e.g., powerlines, phone lines, tree branches, etc.)
- Do not build your fire close to your property line
- Make sure you clear away any combustible materials within a 20' radius of your fire location
- Have a garden hose or other means for extinguishing the fire readily available
- Monitor the smoke from your fire, extinguish the fire if it is going towards your neighbor’s house
- Do Not leave your fire unattended
- Extinguish the fire before leaving, or going indoors for the night
Fires kindled for the purpose of burning brush or for other lawful purposes shall be kindled only at such times and under such conditions as will enable the parties starting them to keep them entirely under control and not create a public nuisance or hazard. Fires must be attended at all times.
A person who builds a fire in or adjoining any woods shall totally extinguish such fire before leaving it.
CampfiresA person is not required to have a permit for a campfire (firewood) on their own land provided that the fire is contained in a fire pit, fire ring, or other similar containment device, provided the fire is 36" or less in diameter. Campfires, with clean firewood, do not generate the same smoke that burning brush and leaves does. Often when leaves are being burned, hot air currents from the fire will carry burning leaves away from the original fire, resulting a unintended fire spreading out of control. A permit is required for any fire in excess of 36" in diameter, regardless of material being burned. A permit is required whenever burning brush or leaves, even if less than 36" in diameter.