Learn all about how to safely and legally burn brush and have outdoor recreational fires
Under Vermont law, a “Permit to Kindle Fire” is required from the Town Forest Fire Warden or Deputy Town Forest Fire Warden for burning untreated wood, brush, weeds, or grass, unless the fire is in an enclosed firepit 36” diameter or less, or there is snow on the site (Title 10 V.S.A. Chapter 83 § 2645). This permit is free and helps prevent both wildland fires and needless emergency response. The permit may be withheld if the fire danger is high, or issued with certain conditions to assure safety. Failure to obtain a permit may result in a fine.
What’ New?
On June 6, 2026, Governor Scott signed Act 162 into law, which changes the way wildland fires are handled in Vermont. The changes are intended to improve statewide situational awareness during wildfire incidents, strengthen coordination, clarify fire prevention authority, and better position Vermont to respond to future wildfire challenges. The big change locally is that the Pawlet and West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Departments are now responsible for issuing burn permits. We are also pleased to roll out a convenient new online form for landowners seeking a burn permit, which you can find below.
What Can Be Burned, Where, and When
Vermont has specific laws on outdoor burning. It is legal to burn brush (weeds, branches, logging slash, leaves and other plant matter), or construction/demolition debris so long as it is exclusively natural wood. It is illegal under all circumstances to burn plywood, particle board, or other composite materials, pressure treated wood, and any type of painted, stained, varnished, glued, or finished materials. These materials are trash and must be disposed of at a transfer station. Burning trash of any kind is illegal under both state and town ordinances, and may result in prosecution.
You can burn in an enclosed fire pit for recreation or cooking all year, no permit needed. An enclosed fire pit is 36″ or less in diameter. At times of extremely high fire danger, the fire department of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources may ban all outdoor burning, but most of the year this is perfectly safe and permissible. If you wish to burn anywhere else, it requires a permit, unless snow cover is on the ground.
Burning fields for the purpose of brush mitigation or the maintenance of edge habitat is also legal, but it requires both a permit and special procedures, due to the risk of these fires escaping control. Give us a call or complete the form below to begin the process.
Request a Burn Permit
To request a burn permit, call your local fire department (Pawlet: 325-3222, West Pawlet: , or complete the form below. Please note: this information is for Pawlet and West Pawlet locations ONLY. If you are in a different jurisdiction, contact your local fire department.