Burn Permits
Today's Fire Danger
NH State Forest Fire Class Days:
Class 1- Very Low:
A day where a forest fire is not likely to start. Permits available on a Class 1 day.
Class 2- Low:
A day that the fire danger is low, but it is possible for fires to start in light, flashy fuels, but will have a slow rate of spread. Permits available on a Class 2 day.
Class 3- Moderate:
The fire danger is moderate and fine fuels in open areas and sunny slopes may spread easily. Permits issued pending conditions.
Class 4- High:
The fire danger is high and fires will start easily from all causes. Fires will spread rapidly and increase in intensity rapidly meaning they will be hard to extinguish. Spot fires may occur and, except in early spring, will burn deep. Permits not available on a Class 4 day.
Class 5- Extreme:
The fire danger is extreme and small fires will spread rapidly and be difficult to extinguish. Severe spotting may occur. Permits not available on a Class 5 day.
NH State Forest Fire Category’s
Category I Fire - means a small controlled fire, such as a camp or cooking fire, no greater than 2’ in diameter contained within a ring of fire restive material or in a portable fireplace. A category I fire, conditions permitting, may be kindled with a permit at any time of day whether raining or not.
Category II Fire - means a controlled fire, such as a camp or cooking fire, no greater than 4’ in diameter contained within a ring of fire restive material or in a portable fireplace. A category II fire, conditions permitting, may only be kindled with a permit between the hours of 5:00 pm and 9:00 am unless it is actually raining.
Category III Fire - means any other fire, not a category I or category II fire or a fire greater than 4’ in diameter or a fire not contained within a ring of restive material. A category III fire, conditions permitting, may only be kindled with a permit between the hours of 5:00 pm and 9:00 am unless it is actually raining.
Category I or Category II Fires - When written permission has been obtained from the landowner, and a written permit from the Forest Fire Warden, or his agent, category I or category II fires may be kindled in fireplaces, at suitable times and in suitable places where they will not endanger woodlands. Category I and II fires must be kindled in an approved device or enclosed by a fire ring. Upon failure to totally extinguish such fires, the parties responsible are subject to the same liabilities and penalties as are prescribed for other fires.
Penalty - For kindling a fire in woodlands of another without written permission of the owner, or for kindling any fire without a written permit when a permit is required, a person may be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $2,000.00, and/or imprisoned for a period of up to 1 year.