Campfires near lake ?

[HUH]

Does anyone know the bylaws on having a traditional stone circle firepit near the lake for campfires. I thought it used to be 25 feet from water?
I cant seem to find anything on it..

[RLW]

Originally Posted by HUH

Does anyone know the bylaws on having a traditional stone circle firepit near the lake for campfires. I thought it used to be 25 feet from water?
I cant seem to find anything on it..

I'm not sure about distance, but most towns require you to get a Permit for a pit fire or you can get a yearly one for the same reason, but again it has to be after 5 PM. Sorry I can't give an answer to distance.

[WINNOCTURN]

Not sure about a "firepit" but in Moultonboro you could not get a permit for a "campfire". You could get a permit for a "Cooking Fire".

[Bear Islander]

We get a seasonal fire permit from Y-Landing Marina each year. We enjoy having a campfire on the dock using one of those metal tubs with short legs. When we are done you just put the screen on the top and go inside.

I not sure a permit is even required when the campfire is done this way, but the permit is easy to get and our bases are covered.

[codeman671]

Gilford uses a standard seasonal campfire permit from the fire dept. You are supposed to call every night to let them know you are starting it. There is a set distance from your structure that has to be met. On the islands they will go to your place in the spring and check it.

I don't think they really make it to all of the homes, they just signed off on mine last year.

[tis]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Gilford uses a standard seasonal campfire permit from the fire dept. You are supposed to call every night to let them know you are starting it. There is a set distance from your structure that has to be met. On the islands they will go to your place in the spring and check it.

I don't think they really make it to all of the homes, they just signed off on mine last year.

Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro do the same as Gilford. You get a seasonal permit from the fire dept. I don't think you have to call them every night to let them know you are starting a fire, but can't remember that for sure.

[Orion]

Originally Posted by tis

Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro do the same as Gilford. You get a seasonal permit from the fire dept. I don't think you have to call them every night to let them know you are starting a fire, but can't remember that for sure.

Yes, you're supposed to call each night you have a campfire. There's an 800 number to do so.

[HUH]

Permit shmermit... We burn safely all the time in Gilford, never had to get a permit for a campfire...
Another case of personal responsibility gone out the window. In fact my wood stove is going right now and i didnt have to call to get permission.
I was just wondering if there was a setback from the lake from DES.

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by HUH

Permit shmermit... We burn safely all the time in Gilford, never had to get a permit for a campfire...
Another case of personal responsibility gone out the window. In fact my wood stove is going right now and i didnt have to call to get permission.
I was just wondering if there was a setback from the lake from DES.

Perhaps you should have said that in your first post then........... And if I knew how to do what some others here do, I would make that my next quote!

[Just Sold]

The state law on open fires like camp fires changed a few years ago. All camp, pit, outside fireplace fires must have a permit. I believe all town fire departments will issue seasonal permits for these and require that you call to notify them when you are having one.
I have not heard of a fire department refusing to issue these permits They just want you have them in safe locations so as not to cause a structure, grass or forest fire. The last time I got one of these permits the fire department gave me a small booklet on safety and guidlines for any outside fire including ones for burning brush.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by HUH

Permit shmermit... We burn safely all the time in Gilford, never had to get a permit for a campfire...
Another case of personal responsibility gone out the window. In fact my wood stove is going right now and i didnt have to call to get permission.
I was just wondering if there was a setback from the lake from DES.

The controlling authority on when & where you can burn is your local fire warden apppointed by the State. Any outside burning, including cooking or camp fires, is strictly regulated by State law and can be reviewed by reading the applicable statute, RSA 227-L.

And yes, this statute applies everywhere, even in Gilford.

Unfortunately, even with this very easy permitting process in place, hundreds of individuals excercising there "personal responsibility" find a way to set their yards, their neighbors yards, surrounding woods & forests or their homes and unfortunately homes of others because they failed to follow simple rules or a good dose of common sense.

Hope this helps answer your original question....

[jrc]

Darn. I wanted to use the "Permit shmermit... " defense

The gray area we always have is grill fires. You don't seem to need a permit if your grill uses gas or charcoal, but if you use wood is it now a camp/cook fire?

How about those metal fire pits with screens on top. People around me seem to think they are just like a grill.

[wifi]

What about those hickory chips, if you toss them in a charcoal fire, does this make it a camp fire?

[HUH]

How did I know i would be "FLAMED".. My propane grill is far more dangerous than a campfire and i light it and turn it off on a regular basis without a permit.
I feel sorry for those that manage to burn there homes down but over reaching bureaucracy is on my list of hates.
I guess no one knows the distance from the water? I know there used to be a rule.
Im going to put another log in my wood stove, should I call the fire department LOL

[tis]

I have a feeling if everyone called them every time they have a fire, they would go crazy with calls. I don't think most people do. Maybe I am wrong.

[BAK04GT]

Wellcome to Masshampshire..To think the question would even have to be asked..whats next....how far from the lake can you turn on an icandesent light bulb?

[Skip]

Originally Posted by tis

I have a feeling if everyone called them every time they have a fire, they would go crazy with calls. I don't think most people do. Maybe I am wrong.

Hi Tis....

In many communities it is up to the issuing department or ranger to determine the call in procedures. Many issue a seasonal permit that only requires a call in if you are burning brush.

And while State law has been modified in recent years, communities always had the option, through their warden, to be more restrictive.

But why have this permitting process...can't we just use "common sense"?

Actually, there is a very good reason to keep track of fires. A substantial portion of this State is still forrest, much more woodlands than a century ago. And while we have been scaling back on fire towers, there are still a series of manned towers and aerial flights that cover the State, including the Lakes region. Any of the scanner buffs out there will know that all season long the towers are checking "smokes" with local authorities to eliminate costly & time consuming false alarms. And yes, not only do these towers detect remote forest fires, but every year they are the first to notice grass and brush fires well within developed cities & towns, and actually have detected a great number of structure fires well before anyone else!

So there is a very solid and responsible reason why these permits are required...and it has nothing to do with "big government"....

[mickweed]

Hi all,
I have been reading the posts in this thread regarding having campfires near the lake. We are in the process of renting a house in Moultonboro for a week this summer. We just received the lease and were shocked to find that it said "no campfires". We called the realty and they said it was a "town law"....now my question. Are renters able to obtain permits for campfires in Moultonboro? If not, are there any towns on the Lake that we should be looking at that would allow that?
Thanks for any help!

[wifi]

Originally Posted by mickweed

Hi all,
... Are renters able to obtain permits for campfires in Moultonboro? ....

You can, as long as you have the owners permission.

[wifi]

During spring/summer and fall, Fire Dispatch gets lots of calls from neighbors calling in smokes, usually seen from a distance away, making the location difficult to pinpoint. Dispatch uses this list of permits (or calls the local fire warden) to determine the most likely spot for the FD to check first, otherwise it takes lots of time, manpower and expense. Even a fire tower, unless they can get a cross from another tower, only can approximate a location.

So, if everyone would (theoretically) get a permit, a smoke in the wrong place would be a bad thing

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by HUH

I guess no one knows the distance from the water? I know there used to be a rule.

If I am remembering correctly from getting our permit last year it is 25' from the lake.

[Sunbeam lodge]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

If I am remembering correctly from getting our permit last year it is 25' from the lake.

My firepit is only 23.8 inches from the lake and I burn all the time. Last winter I cooked hot dogs all day long while ice fishing.

[Mink Islander]

and get a permit, if required.

When I went through Meredith on Tuesday, the fire risk sign at the FD still showed the risk as high.

Those of you who want to make a public safety issue like this some kind of "live free or die" battleground are way off base. Just ask the folks in Alton whether fire safety is a community issue.

[topwater]

What makes you think they are from NH, they might be from Norwell, Mass. and have a place on Mink Island. I can understand why you automatically think that way. If the shoe fits !!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by Sunbeam lodge

My firepit is only 23.8 inches from the lake and I burn all the time. Last winter I cooked hot dogs all day long while ice fishing.

I guess there are too many definitions of fire pits. I was recalling that an unlined pit that could wash into the lake has to be 25' from the lake.
Every town might be different.

[Sunbeam lodge]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

I guess there are too many definitions of fire pits. I was recalling that an unlined pit that could wash into the lake has to be 25' from the lake.
Every town might be different.

When you look at the effect that all the new construction has had on the lake in the past 15 years it seems ridiculous to start legislating and nit picking all activities near the lake now. The new law will be circumvented or ignored because it is so ridiculous. I am all for curbing major abuses but it seems that most of the damage has been done and the slowdown in the economy has slowed construction. Laws are only made for honest folks. Dishonest people and people who do not care about the environment will find away around the laws, especially if they have money. You can already see the arguments about how to interpert the law here on the forum. I never cut a tree or moved a rock I did not have to. But many just cleared everything regardless of the consequence to the lake. I think the politicians in Concord have gone overboard and the Gov Council will overrule when their friends or constituents are involved. My own personal feelings based on 78 years experience.

[RPM]

Just have and enjoy your lake side fire. You all have my permission . this verbal
document will expire in 2099. I will bring a guitar and hot dogs.

[no-engine]

Originally Posted by HUH

Does anyone know the bylaws on having a traditional stone circle firepit near the lake for campfires. I thought it used to be 25 feet from water?
I cant seem to find anything on it..

I know people in Gilford whose pit is about 20-30 feet from waterfront, using it in summer, maybe 10 feet in diameter.

On my Meredith property, I was able to get a brush burning permit, provided I do not start till 5pm, and it's at least drizzling. The time is related to volunteers have other jobs.

As one post said, confirm with your local fire warden of municiple offices.

I know people in Brookline, NH next to Hollis & Nashua, who have a backyard pit and use it with permits.

[woodswalk]

Originally Posted by HUH

Does anyone know the bylaws on having a traditional stone circle firepit near the lake for campfires. I thought it used to be 25 feet from water?
I cant seem to find anything on it..

Just look at the mess of a thread you created with such a question!
lol! shame on you!

[Sman]

Hey HUH, you shouldn't have given up beer, you sound grumpy

why do you care about the distance?

call the town hall

My understanding is that you don't care about rules anyway so why you asking? If you don't care about rules for your self you must be asking because some else is doing it and it is ticking you off...

[HUH]

Originally Posted by Sman

Hey HUH, you shouldn't have given up beer, you sound grumpy

why do you care about the distance?

call the town hall

My understanding is that you don't care about rules anyway so why you asking? If you don't care about rules for your self you must be asking because some else is doing it and it is ticking you off...

Great analogy but you would be incorrect.. We just want to have a small fire pit without being fined by DES or something. My neighbor down the street has a fire once in a while by his beach and im surprised they havnt accidentaly burnt there house down with the amount of carbonated beverages consumed ..lol

[RPM]

I do see your concern.I m sure we all remember the last wild fire on the lake caused by a camp fire. I think it was that very dry summer back in 1794.
Please cut the &*$#% ,use your head,and have a safe fire.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by RPM

I do see your concern.I m sure we all remember the last wild fire on the lake caused by a camp fire. I think it was that very dry summer back in 1794.
Please cut the &*$#% ,use your head,and have a safe fire.

I agree, if it's such a gray area and so difficult to get an answer (and so many varying opinions) use common sense and enjoy.

[Onshore]

The traditional stone circle firepit would not need a permit under the Shoreland Protection Act. I can't imagine it needing one from Wetlands either since I wouldn't think anyone would build one on the slope that is considered the bank and it might be difficult to get it to burn if you build it in a wetland.