Open Burning in Goshen
On May 24, 2014 the Town of Goshen adopted an Open Burning Ordinance (Title 71) which allows for the burning of brush on a residential property to clear vegetative debris following a natural disaster.
This burning can only take place after an applicant obtains an Open Burning Certificate through the First Selectman's Office by calling (860) 491-2308. Applicants for an open burn certificate must be a resident or an authorized agent of a resident of the property where the open burning will occur.
All open burning shall be attended at all times and the applicant must keep a copy of the Open Burning Certificate in his or her possession at the time of the open burning.
Burning can only take place within the allotted hours after sunrise and before sundown on sunny or partly sunny days when the wind speed is less than fifteen (15) miles per hour. No visible embers, flames or smoke may be present after prescribed hours.
Other conditions to keep in mind when open burning:
- Suitable fire extinguishing equipment must be in close proximity and available at the time of the open burning.
- The open burning must be a minimum of twenty five (25) feet from any property line and twenty five (25) feet from any building, except that barbecues or other similar outdoor fires shall not be subject to this condition.
- No open burning shall be allowed to burn out of control so as to require the response of fire personnel and/or apparatus. The Fire Chief or Fire Marshall shall make any determination that a fire has been allowed to burn out of control.
- No weeds, grass, leaves, processed wood, garbage, paper, metals, plastics, rubber, painted materials, manmade waste or demolition waste shall be burned.
- No open burning of brush shall occur when national or state ambient air quality standards may be exceeded.
- No open burning of brush shall occur where a hazardous health condition might be created.
- No open burning shall occur where woodland or grassland is within one hundred (100) ft. of the proposed open burning; when the forest fire danger in the area is identified by the Commissioner as “high” or “extreme”.
- No open burning of brush shall occur when there is an advisory from the Commissioner of any air pollution episode.
- No open burning is allowed within the limits of any public road or public rightofway.
- A two foot (2’) perimeter around burn site must be raked to keep fire in contained area.
The Fire Marshall, Fire Chief and/or any officer of the Goshen Volunteer Fire Company, the Torrington Area Health District or his or her designee, or the First Selectman may require any person who ignites or maintains an open burning in violation of the provisions of this Ordinance to extinguish such open burning. Failure to extinguish such open burning shall be a violation of the Open Burning Ordinance.
Any person who violates any provision of the Open Burning Ordinance shall be subject to a first offense fine of fifty dollars ($50.00), and a ninety dollar ($90.00) fine for each continued violation.
To view the complete Town of Goshen Open Burning Ordinance (Title 71) click the following link:
