← New York burn ban rules›Current Fire Restrictions
New York Current Fire Restrictions (2026)
Info: No statewide burn ban is posted on New York DEC's fire-danger map.
No statewide burn ban is posted on New York DEC's fire-danger map. On the most recent FDRA risk table published on that map, effective October 17, 2026, 3 of New York's 10 Fire Danger Rating Areas read Moderate - Hudson Valley, Southern Tier and Upper Hudson Champlain - and the other 7 - Adirondack, Adirondack High Peaks, Catskill, Lake Ontario Plains, Leatherstocking, Long Island and St. Lawrence - read Low. New York's annual statewide brush-burning prohibition runs March 16 through May 14 each year, so it is not in effect now. Outside that window DEC's open-burning rules (6 NYCRR Part 215) still apply: downed limbs and branches under 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length may be burned on-site only in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents, and burning trash, leaves, or treated, painted or composite wood is illegal statewide all year, including in a burn barrel. Campfires and small cooking fires less than 3 feet high and 4 feet in length, width or diameter, using only charcoal or clean, untreated wood, are allowed. Towns, villages, cities and counties can pass stricter rules or require a permit, the ratings are reforecast every few days, and a Red Flag Warning can be issued at any fire-danger level, so check DEC's current map and your local government before you burn.
Official source: api.nysmesonet.org →
Check the live restriction status: dec.ny.gov →
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Current Fire Restrictions in states bordering New York
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- ConnecticutInfo
Burning brush on residential property in Connecticut requires a valid, signed permit from your municipality's local Open Burning Official. …
Verified Oct 17, 2026 · Source: portal.ct.gov · Full Connecticut rule →
- MassachusettsInfo
LawLert last read the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services open-burning page on October 9, 2026 and cannot re-read it. …
Verified Oct 9, 2026 · Source: mass.gov · Full Massachusetts rule →
- New JerseyInfo
In any district where Firewardens have been appointed, a permit (the written permission of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection) is required before you set fire to, or cause to be burned, waste, fallows, stumps, logs, brush, dry grass, fallen timber or any other material or vegetation that could cause a forest fire (N.J.S.A. 13:9-19). …
Verified Oct 17, 2026 · Source: services1.arcgis.com · Full New Jersey rule →
- PennsylvaniaInfo
No statewide burn ban (one requires a Governor's proclamation — none active), and the annual state-forest spring restriction (fire rings prohibited Mar 1–May 25) is out of season, though state-forest fires are also barred whenever fire danger is high, very high or extreme. …
Verified Oct 16, 2026 · Source: elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov · Full Pennsylvania rule →
- VermontInfo
LawLert last read the Vermont FPR Wildfire Situation Update on October 13, 2026 and cannot re-read it. …
Verified Oct 13, 2026 · Source: fpr.vermont.gov · Full Vermont rule →
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