You have until May 1 to burn that brush pile out back of the house. Get busy, but be careful. Keep a water hose handy.

Do not burn brush without a burning permit. Permits are available online through the Town or Town Fire Department websites. For residents without computer access, contact Laurie McArthur at Town Hall during business hours (between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.) on the day you intend to burn or by phone at (413) 258-4711 ext 3. Laurie will access the website for you and issue your permit.

Burn Permit Regulations:

• Massachusetts allows residents to burn brush between January 15 and May 1 inclusive, depending on weather conditions. You must obtain permission from the town in which you plan to burn brush.
• You may only burn BRUSH! All other materials are illegal. No leaves, grass, hay, stumps, building debris or any other materials are allowed to be burned.
• All open burning must be a minimum of 75 feet from buildings or structures.
• Burning will be allowed to start at 10:00 a.m. and must be extinguished by 4:00 p.m.
• Any open fire must be attended at all times by the permit holder.
• No person shall set, maintain, or increase a fire in open air at any time except by permission.
• You must be 18 years or older to apply for a permit and/or set, maintain or increase a fire once permission has been granted by the Fire Department.
• You must have an appropriate means to extinguish an open-air fire completely at the end of the day or if requested by the Fire Department.
• The Fire Department can refuse or cancel a permit at any time. (Example: Violation of permit regulations, or change in weather conditions.)
• Open burning season is January 15-May 1.

Massachusetts Regulation 310 CMR: DEP 7.07 "Open Burning"

Click here for more information from the Massachusetts DEP.