SABATTUS — Residents are now able to get free burn permits through an online system that distributes the information directly to dispatchers and fire officers.

Fire Chief Marc Veilleux has subscribed to an online burn permit system, which was created by a couple of West Gardiner firefighters, according to a news release.

Sabattus issues about 300 open burn permits a year through the fire station, the Town Office and the state’s open burning permit system. Subscribing to the new online service costs the department $75 a year, but is free to residents of Sabattus and much cheaper than staffing the station on weekends to issue permits.

The new system sends a text to Fire Department officers, telling them where people will be burning.

The online system has the ability to set restrictions on permits based on the appropriate burn times, fire danger classifications and weather conditions, as well as availability of fire department resources.

Permits will not be issued on days when the fire danger is Class 3 or higher. Although a class day may be a 1 or 2, which are allowed burning days, winds more than 15 mph will result in a closure of permits to avoid the spread of hot, burning embers.

The highest fire danger is Class 5.

Veilleux asks that residents read the terms and conditions outlining the restrictions of what can and can’t be burned.

Residents without computers can obtain a free permit by going to the Town Office during regular business hours, or going to the fire station if a department member is there.

 

Residents can get free burn permits by logging on to the new system at www.wardensreport.com, or going to the Maine Forest Service website, www.Maine.gov/burnpermits, where a two-day permit costs $7.