Hillsboro Fire Department

Welcome

The Hillsboro Fire Department provides Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services to the Town of Hillsboro, New Hampshire, a community covering approximately 42 square miles with an estimated population of 6,000 residents. During calendar year 2007, the Department responded to 886 calls for an average of 2.4 per day.

In addition to responding to emergency calls, the Hillsboro Fire Department provides proactive prevention services such as fire safety inspections of commercial and residential properties, site plan reviews, and fire and environmental safety education.

*** Fire Permits Required ***

The State of New Hampshire requires all persons obtain a fire permit before starting ANY outside fire unless the ground is covered with snow. This must be done prior to starting the fire rain or shine. Starting with the 2008 season permits will be issued Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:00pm and every Saturday from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Along with the new permit times brush burning (category 2 & 3) will only be allowed on class 1 & 2 fire weather days. Burning will NOT be allowed on class 3-5 fire weather days for category 2 & 3. Category 1 and seasonal permits may be used up to a class 3 fire weather day but may not be used on class 4 and above. If you have any questions or wish to obtain a fire permit in Hillsboro, please call us at the station 464-3477.

FIRE PERMIT CATEGORY'S

Category 1- Means a small controlled fire, such as a camp or cooking fire, no greater than 2' in diameter contained within a ring of fire resistive material or in a portable fireplace. A category 1 fire, conditions permitting, may be kindled with a permit at any time of the day whether raining or not.

Category 2- Means a controlled fire, such as a camp or cooking fire, no greater than 4' in diameter contained within a ring of fire resistive material or in a portable fireplace. A category 2 fire, conditions permitting, may only be kindled with a permit between the hours of 5:00pm and 9:00am unless it is actually raining.

Category 3- means any other fire, not a category 1 or category 2 fire or a fire greater than 4' in diameter or a fire not contained within a ring of fire resistive material. A category 3 fire, conditions permitting, may be kindled with a permit between the hours of 5:00pm and 9:00am unless it is actually raining.

SEASONAL PERMITS

Seasonal permits will be issued on Saturday May 3, 2008 from 10:am-5:00pm at the Hillsboro Fire Station located at 13 Central Street in Hillsboro. A Warden will be on hand to answer any questions and give out seasonal permits.

FIRE WEATHER CLASSIFICATION

Class 1	A class 1 day is a day a forest fire is not likely to start. LOW
Class 2	A class 2 day the danger is MODERATE, but it is possible for fires to start in light flashy fuels but will have a slow rate of spread.
Class 3	A class 3 day the fire danger is HIGH and fine fuels in open areas and sunny slopes may spread rapidly.
Class 4	A class 4 day the fire danger is VERY HIGH and fires will start easily from all causes. Fires will spread rapidly and increase in intensity rapidly meaning they will be hard to extinguish. Spot fires may occur and, except in spring, will burn deep.
Class 5	A class 5 day the danger is EXTREME. Small fires will spread very rapidly meaning they will be hard to extinguish. Severe spotting may occur and mop-up will require a great deal of effort.