Open Burning Permits
Required for any open burning in the Town of Foster.
The basics
A burning permit is required for anyone doing open burning in the Town of Foster. Permits allow the burning of brush only, during daylight hours.
A permit is good only for the day it is issued — you cannot get one in advance. If you don't burn that day, you call again next time.
What a permit covers
- You may burn
- Brush.
- You may not burn
- Trash, lumber or building materials, or any other combustible materials.
- Hours
- Daylight only.
Fire-danger classification
The Rhode Island DEM Division of Forest Environment sets a fire-danger classification each day based on the weather, from Class 1 (safest for open burning) to Class 5 (extreme danger).
- Permits are usually issued only on a Class 1 or Class 2 day.
- At Class 2 High or above, no permits are issued.
- The day's classification is announced between 9:00 and 10:00 AM. Permits cannot be issued until it has been set.
- The officer issuing your permit also makes a judgment call based on conditions at your property that day.
Check today's RI wildfire danger status ›
Best conditions to burn
The safest time to burn is a snowy day, or the start of a two- to three-day stretch of rain.
How to get a permit
To burn brush on your property, contact the fire department official for your district. Call during daylight hours, after the day's classification has been announced.
Foster has three fire districts. If you're not sure which one your property is in, check the Fire District Map (PDF).
South Foster (Station #1)
- Chief Gordon Brayton — (401) 640-1958
- Deputy Chief John Kent — (401) 639-2895
- Roy Shippee — (401) 524-1737
Foster Center (Station #3)
- Chief Jason DiCarlo — (401) 368-9325
- Jim Rathbun — (401) 480-4592
Moosup Valley (Station #2)
- Chief Paul Cunniff — (401) 451-1737
- Bob Larrivee — (401) 397-9024