Outside fires prohibited until further notice

posted on: 9/25/2020

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu issued a proclamation on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, that prohibits the "kindling of any open fire and smoking in or near woodlands throughout all 10 New Hampshire counties."

In a news release from Sununu's Office, the reason for the proclamation was "due to the drought conditions, low water levels in many communities, and an increasing potential for wildfires." In its weekly update on Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor declared Dover and much of Strafford County to be an "extreme drought." The region was previously considered to be in a "severe drought."

The proclamation prohibits:

• The kindling of open fire, including fires built for camping, the burning of debris, or warming, on all public trails or other public property, excluding public campgrounds
• The kindling of Category 3 "campfires;" a fire greater than 4 feet in diameter or a fire not contained within a ring of fire resistive material
• Smoking a pipe, cigar and/or cigarette outdoors in or near public woodlands or on public trails
• Kindling of Category 1 & 2 "campfires;" not contained within a ring of fire restrictive material or in a portable fireplace

In Dover, Fire Chief Paul Haas has issued a ban on Category 3 fires within City limits until weather conditions improve. He also noted the online burn permitting process at nhfirepermits.com has stopped issuing permits for week, so no resident should have a valid Category 3 permit in their possession now.

Haas said that Category 1 and 2 fires, which are small, backyard campground fires, are allowed if a resident holds a valid seasonal permit. However, Haas asks seasonal permit holders to check their email when they intend to burn for any further burn restrictions.

Those without seasonal permits will only be allowed to obtain them when the website, nhfirepermit.com, allows the issuance of those permits. "If the online system is down, we are not going to issue them," Haas said.

City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr., at the City Council meeting this past Wednesday, urged residents to be "very conscientious" and not unintentionally spark any fires. "They will quickly take off and could be quite devastating," Joyal said.