For those who want to camp out or barbecue this summer in the way nature intended – with open flames – it’s also time to review fire safety and prevention regulations.

The Bedford Fire Department reminds residents to get a burning permit before lighting their fire pit, portable wood stove or brush collected during yard work.

“It’s the time of year when fire danger gets really escalated,” said Fire Chief Scott Wiggin. All outdoor fires require a permit, said fire inspector John Powers. The only exceptions to that rule are wood stoves that are completely enclosed, have a latched door and a smoke stack in use or when snow covers the ground.

Powers said too often the Fire Department responds to instances in which fire is burning that lacks the appropriate permit.

Fires have gotten away from people in the past, Powers said, adding the Fire Department is currently investigating a brush fire that got a bit out of hand in the woods off Elk Drive on Monday, April 21.

About a third of an acre, about 1,500 feet, from the edge of the woods, Wiggin said, was burned. Firefighters used a nearby swamp to pump water onto the flames. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Wiggin said.

“There’s not too many natural causes of fires,” Wiggin said. In such cases, the permit holder may be billed for the Fire Department’s dispatch and services, at Wiggin’s discretion.

The person illegally burning could be fined. Many times, if the fire has not spread or caused damage, the responding firefighters just explain the problem, put the fire out and allow the person to come to the station and get a permit, Powers said. Bedford residents can obtain burning permits for the day at the Fire Department, or can obtain seasonal burning permits that remain in effect from the time it’s issued until Dec. 31 each year.

For the seasonal permits, Powers is required to inspect the fire pit or burning area before the applicant can legally start a fire. Day permits are based on an honor system, Powers said, but violations are found frequently and the property owner is liable.

There are several different kinds of permits issued depending on the type, size and reason for the burning.

For a “category 1” permit, the fire would have to be in an enclosed fire pit less than 2 feet in diameter and at least 25 feet away from any structures.

A “category 2” permit covers any enclosed fire pit between 2 feet and 4 feet in diameter. The fire must be at least 50 feet from any structures.

A “category 3” permit allows burning of fires greater than 4 feet in diameter or not contained in a fire-resistant enclosure. Like category 2 fires, these must be at least 50 feet away from structures.

For the most part, these types of permits are issued for burning tree and lawn scraps. Permits issued for fires classified as category 2 or 3 restrict burning between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The reason for that, Powers said, is because the Fire Department does not receive information on that day’s brush fire danger until late in the afternoon.

On days determined to be “high risk,” whether they are dry or windy, the fire chief has the authority to deny or deem ineffective existing permits until the risk goes down, Powers said.

Only property owners can obtain burning permits. Those who rent their homes and want a burning permit have to get written permission from their landlord before coming to the fire station for the permit.

Those who want to obtain a burn permit for the day cannot get one in advance. They have to get it on the day they plan on burning after 5 p.m., Powers said.

On high risk days, these permits may be denied and, Powers said, the Fire Department would call those with seasonal passes and tell them it is not OK to burn that day.

The response to the state’s issued risk factor is also at the Fire Department’s discretion unless the state has officially banned fires, Powers said.

“If we think that conditions are getting too dry or if it’s too windy, we’ll consider not issuing permits for that day,” said Powers, adding seasonal permits would be temporarily suspended in the event the state banned fires.

For any category fire, there must be an 8-foot area cleared away around the edges, Powers said, and a 10-foot buffer above the flames to prevent it from spreading into trees.

Powers said he sometimes has to turn people applying for seasonal permits down after inspecting the burning area, usually because the pit is too close to a house or other structure.

For more information on getting a burn permit in Bedford, contact Powers at 792-1369 or go to the Bedford Safety Center at 55 Constitution Drive.