Buckingham Township
Open Burning Regulations

Buckingham Township uses a combination of B.O.C.A. Fire Prevention Code and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection regulations.

National Weather Service Up to the Minute Open Burning Warnings

Fire for cooking requires no permission.

Fire for burning of normal household trash requires no permission provided:

Burning of rubbish shall be prohibited except in approved incinerators. Approved incinerator = a 55 gallon drum with holes near bottom for draft and holes in bottom for drainage plus a heavy secure screen or mesh across top to prevent blowing of fly ash. These must be cleaned at regular intervals to remove unburnable ash and residue and to promote clean burning. Click here for more information on Incinerators.

Open Fires for burning leaves, prunings, tree trimmings and limbs from storm damage may be permitted only under the following conditions:

• Township fire marshal or office must be notified (215-794-8836)

• Controlled Burning notification number (215-345-1411)

• Location is not less than 50 feet (15240 mm) from any structure or road edge

• Provisions must be made to contain fire to location

• Fires shall consist only of seasoned dry wood or leaves

• Fires shall be constantly attended by a competent person until the fire is out

• Fire extinguishing equipment shall be readily available

• Fire size limited to 5'x5'x5'

• Ignition shall be by a reasonable quantity of paper,  NOT BY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS.

Open burning shall not take place on township or state roads.

Open burning shall not be allowed before sunrise or 2 hours before sunset as defined by the National Weather Service.

Fires shall be prohibited which are or could be offensive or objectionable due to smoke or odor emissions to neighbors or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous (Dry conditions, windy conditions, etc.)

Normal Household Trash = Combustible/NonRecyclable Paper Goods --- 
DOES NOT INCLUDE: Garbage, Plastic Containers, Shingles, Tires, Etc.

Grass Clippings should NOT be burned.

Fires for Land Clearing must have D.E.P. Permission (Southeast Region 610-832-6000).

For more information on open burning provided by D.E.P., go to www.dep.state.pa.us  (search Direct Link "Open Burning").

Buckingham Township Fire Marshal

Last updated 05/08/2007