City brush dump is closed as Lakes Region, state remain in drought

LACONIA — The city’s brush dump is closed until further notice, due to an ongoing drought which has caused dangerous fire conditions in the area, leaving the brush dump nearly full.

In a public information statement, Director of Public Works Wes Anderson wrote that drought conditions have created fire danger in the Lakes Region and throughout the state. 

The facility accepts clean wood only — painted, stained or pressure treated wood is not collected. Wood and tree branches must be no longer than 3 feet long, and 3 inches in diameter or less. Leaves are not accepted. Residents who wish to use the municipal brush dump must obtain a sticker or day pass. 

But beginning Tuesday, Oct. 7, dumping green waste at the brush dump is out of the question.

The drought is so severe, Gov. Kelly Ayotte imposed a statewide burn ban at the end of September, and all outdoor burning in the City of Laconia is similarly banned. Permits for burning won’t be issued until the ban is lifted. 

That causes issues for the municipal brush dump — the city burns the brush that’s dumped there. During the drought, the city’s public works department hasn’t been burning any brush, to reduce the chances sparks would escape and endanger neighboring properties, so it’s been stacking up. 

“The amount of brush brought to the dump during the drought period has nearly approached the point where burning the brush would be a danger to the neighborhood even during non-drought conditions,” Anderson wrote in the release. 

As the public works department prepares for the quickly-approaching winter season, they’ll trim low-hanging tree limbs and other brush which could pose problems for street plowing. The remaining space at the brush dump is just enough to contain branches and other clippings generated by those snow preparations, Anderson said. 

Anderson and public works staff will continue to monitor predictions regarding rainfall to determine when the brush dump can open back up to the public, or if an alternate means of brush disposal must be implemented to restart the service to city residents. 

The municipal brush dump, located at 325 Hilliard Road, is generally open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, April 1 to Nov. 1, and on Fridays and Saturdays only from Nov. 1 to March 31. In the event of a snowstorm, the brush dump is closed.

Anyone with questions or concerns can call the city’s public works department at 603-528-6379.

While this year’s drought is serious, droughts in New Hampshire are anything but rare over the past few decades. Between 2000 and 2020, drought conditions occurred in 11 of those years, according to staff at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. 

According to an NH DES update on drought conditions released on Oct. 2, dry vegetation is further intensifying despite short-term improvements in stream flows, groundwater levels and soil moisture after brief periods of rainfall. 

Lake levels statewide have similarly decreased sooner than typically expected, and NH DES staff recommend removing boats and docks from the water as soon as possible.  

Year-to-date numbers of wildfires and acres burned have eclipsed those from the previous year, due in large part to wildfire activity in August and September. Fire danger remains high throughout the Granite State.

Of wildfires in New Hampshire, 90% are caused by human activity, according to the New Hampshire Forest Protection Bureau. 

Residents are advised to wait until conditions improve and burn permits are issued before burning brush or debris. If possible, rake brush into the woods or, if not, collect it in a pile to allow for natural decomposition.  

“If the weather pattern does not change allowing the state to receive significant rain, we may not see the wildfire risk reduced through the fall. The current fire restrictions imposed at the state level must remain in effect to protect the state’s citizens and natural resources until the drought conditions improve reducing the threat of wildfire,” NH FPB Chief Steven Sherman wrote in a release.