Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-23-18. Regulation of burning in open fires

(a) The director may, by rule or regulation, prohibit the burning of any material in an open fire by any person on premises operated as a public or semi-public refuse disposal facility or at other central refuse disposal sites.  The director may also prohibit the burning of any material in an open fire by any person in connection with any salvage, industrial, commercial, or institutional operation.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall interfere with the right and responsibility of cities and towns to adopt and enforce laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations prohibiting open fires, except as provided in subsection (a).

(c) It is the policy of the state that open fires shall be eliminated to the maximum extent possible.  It is also the policy of the state that regulation of open fires shall be the responsibility of political subdivisions of the state.  All cities and towns are empowered to prohibit open fires by ordinances or regulations except those open fires as described in subsection (a).