Burning Regulations

  • The City of Cumberland Fire Department will issue a burning permit only when an Allegany County burning permit is presented. Exceptions include:
    • Cooking fires
    • Roofing tar pots
    • Bonfires
    • Warming barrels
  • Only those types of materials listed on the permit shall be burned. The burning of any type of materials not listed on the permit, or violation of these Rules and Regulations is a violation of the State Fire Prevention Code, and is submit to prosecution.
  • It is illegal to burn flammable or combustible hazardous materials, paints, plastics, treated wood, rubber roofing materials, domestic waste materials or other type of synthetic materials which produce dense black smoke.
  • No person shall kindle or maintain any bonfire or rubbish fire or authorize any such fire to be kindled or maintained on any private land unless:
    • The location is not less than 50 feet from any structure and adequate provision is made to prevent fire from spreading within 50 feet of any structure
    • The fire is contained in an approved waste burner located not less than 50 feet from any structure.
  • Several small fires, properly tended will frequently provide more efficient and certainly cleaner disposal than a single large poorly controlled burning. Therefore, this condition shall be applied to all permits.
  • Materials should be clean and free of large accumulations of earth, plaster, and other nonflammable matter. This factor ensures good contact of combustion air with burnable material.
  • Fires should be kept hot. Frequent, timely movement of the burning materials into a compact mass maintains this condition. By this means, the materials are kept at adequate combustion temperature and smoke eliminated.
  • All permitted fires shall be attended at all times by a competent person until the fire is completely extinguished. Tools and a water source shall be present to help control the fire.
  • Fires should be kindled by a substance having a low ignition point, such as dry paper, dry wood shavings and similar items. The use of flammable liquids to start a fire or be poured onto a fire is not permitted.
  • Sufficient space should be allowed for free access of combustion air to the fire. If the operation is in a pit of deep depression, air flow can be restricted to the extent the fire will be smoky. Too much material at 1 time also restricts air access. Air supplied by a blower may be required when necessary.
  • Any ban on open-air burning by the Allegany County Health Department for any reason shall revoke all open-air burning permits issued by the City of Cumberland Fire Department. Anyone burning at a prohibited time may be prosecuted.
  • Only materials generated on the location listed on the permit shall be permitted to be burned. No materials shall be burned that have been brought onto the location listed on the permit.
  • Burning of poison ivy and poison oak is not permitted.
Burning is permitted Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. until dark. In case of an emergency, call 911 for the Allegany County Emergency Services.