Burning Permits

We are blessed to have access to such scenic and wild wooded areas right in our backyards. However, with this blessing is a responsibility to protect the forests of New Hampshire from wildfires!

The State of New Hampshire requires that you obtain a written fire permit for any outside fire from your local Forest Fire Warden before kindling (RSA 227). To obtain a permit, you must be 18 years of age or older, own or obtain the property owners written permission, be capable of controlling the fire, and have favorable fire weather conditions for kindling the fire.

Outside Fire Permit Types

Category One: Small controlled fire within a non-combustible ring or fire pit, less than two feet in diameter.
Category Two: Small Controlled fire within a non-combustible ring or fire pit, less than four feet in diameter.
Category One / Two Seasonal: Category One or Two fire permit that is useable for the calendar year.
Category Three: Any fire, not Category One or Two not contained in a ring of noncombustible material, or a brush pile.

Per NH Law, fires cannot be kindled between the hours of 9AM and 5PM, unless it is actively raining or the sole purpose of the fire is for cooking.

Fire Weather Requirements

“Forest Fire Danger” is calculated by the recent weather, winds, relative humidity and precipitation. Bennington Fire Rescue only issues permits during class one or class two days. For information on how the fire weather is classified, visit the New Hampshire Forest & Lands’ Fire Weather Page

For the current fire weather classification, call the Division of Forests & Lands’ wildfire information line 1-866-NH-FIRES (866-643-4737).