New Hampshire Burn Permit: Do You Need One and When
New Hampshire requires a written fire permit from your town's forest fire warden any time the ground is not snow covered, obtainable in person or online for a $5.50 transaction fee, and a seasonal permit runs through December 31 of the year you buy it.
Do you need a burn permit in New Hampshire?
Yes, and the state issues it
New Hampshire requires a state burning permit, and no part of the year is closed, so the answer is the daily check.
- Who issues it
- New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands
- Issued by
- the forest fire warden of the town or city where the fire will be, in person or through the state's online fire permitting system
- What it costs
- $5.50
- How long it lasts
- a seasonal permit runs to December 31 of the year it is obtained
YES - Every person, firm or corporation who kindles or causes to be kindled any fire or burns or causes to be burned any material, except when the ground is covered with snow, SHALL obtain a written fire permit from the Forest Fire Warden in the town or city where the fire will be kindled.New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands Online Fire Permitting System, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
Where you get one
- Online fire permitting system
- Town or city forest fire warden
- Local fire department in person
When you may burn in New Hampshire
Statewide dates
The state closes no part of the year, so the answer is the daily check.
New Hampshire sets no calendar burning season; a written fire permit is required any day of the year, and the one standing exception is a fire on snow covered ground.
- Who sets it
- New Hampshire General Court
- Checked against
- RSA 227-L:17 Permits; Damages; Penalties, New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated
No person, firm, or corporation shall kindle or cause to be kindled any fire or shall burn or cause to be burned any material, and no city or town shall kindle or maintain a fire on a public dump, except when the ground is covered with snow, without first obtaining a written permit from the forest fire warden of the town where the burning is to be done unless it is in the presence of the warden or the warden's agent.RSA 227-L:17 Permits; Damages; Penalties, New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
What you may and may not burn in New Hampshire
What the state names as burnable
- untreated wood
- untreated pallets
- campfire wood
- brush
- charcoal
What it names as off the pile
- household rubbish
Only Burning of untreated wood, untreated pallets, campfire wood, brush, or charcoal is allowed. Wood can be NO GREATER than 5 INCHES in DIAMETER.New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands Online Fire Permitting System, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
What New Hampshire asks of the weather and the site
Setbacks, wind limits and what has to be on hand. These are written into the rule rather than offered as advice.
- No permit is needed only when snow or frozen precipitation covers the ground within 100 feet of the fire edge, enough to keep woodland fuels from burning until the fire is out
- Wood no greater than 5 inches in diameter
- The permittee must be 18 or older
- An online permit must be printed and signed to be valid, and carried with photo ID while burning
- Totally extinguish a camp or cooking fire before leaving it
When the area within a 100 foot radius from the fire edge is covered with snow or other frozen precipitation sufficient to prevent the combustion of woodland fuels until the fire is completely extinguished, a fire permit is not required. Before burning you should check with your local fire department for local restrictions.New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands Online Fire Permitting System, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
What your town can add in New Hampshire
Towns run the permit, and not every town lets you get one online; where a town is missing from the system you have to go to the fire department in person, and towns may add their own restrictions.
If the town you want to have a fire in is not listed it is because that town does not allow fire permits to be obtained online. You will need to contact the local fire department to obtain a fire permit in person.New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands Online Fire Permitting System, read September 23, 2026. Read it at the source
New Hampshire burn permit questions
Burn permits in other states
New Hampshire rules read September 23, 2026 from New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands Online Fire Permitting System. Rules change, a county or town may be stricter than the state, and a burn ban issued today overrides a season that is otherwise open. Every state is on the burn permit hub.