Live fire restrictions & Red Flag Warnings · National Weather Service
🔴 Red Flag Warning
Critical fire weather — extreme danger, high winds, low humidity. Burning is typically banned statewide and by county.
🟠 Fire Weather Watch
Dangerous conditions developing within 24–72 hrs. Monitor for upgrade to Red Flag Warning and imminent restrictions.
⚠️ County bans may differ
Arkansas county burn bans and USFS Stage 1–3 restrictions are separate — always confirm with your local fire authority.
Checking Arkansas fire-weather alerts…
The NWS map above shows fire-weather alerts — for the legally binding burn ban status, go directly to the official Arkansas source:
Arkansas Forestry DivisionState burn ban mapOpen official source ↗Also check your county government website — a county burn ban can be in effect even when Arkansas has no statewide restriction.
🚫 Prohibited
✓ Usually Still Allowed
Always confirm with the issuing agency — specific orders vary.
County burn bans in Arkansas are issued separately from state-level restrictions — a county can be under a burn ban even when the rest of the state is not. County commissioners, the county fire marshal, or the county judge typically issue these orders, and they are not reflected in NWS alerts shown on the map above.
Arkansas Forestry Commission posts active county burn bans and burning restrictions.
Arkansas County Burn Bans — Arkansas Forestry CommissionView county map ↗Federal land managers use a tiered system that escalates as fire danger increases. Stage restrictions apply only to the land they are issued for — your county may have a separate burn ban on private land.
Open burning prohibited. Campfires may still be allowed in designated fire rings at developed campgrounds. Portable gas and pressurized-liquid stoves are typically allowed in cleared areas.
All open fires prohibited — including campfires in developed campgrounds. Gas stoves may be allowed in cleared areas. Chainsaw use and motorized off-road vehicles restricted.
Maximum restriction before full closure. All fires may be prohibited. Motorized vehicle use off designated roads, shooting, and spark-producing tools are typically banned.
State or county-level complete ban on all open burning — campfires, burn barrels, brush and agricultural burning. Gas and propane grills for cooking are usually still allowed.
Area is fully closed — no public access or fire-related activity of any kind is permitted.
Typically equivalent to Stage 1. Open burning prohibited; campfires in developed campgrounds may still be allowed. Common on BLM land in NV, OR, and ID.
Agency-specific restriction with unique terms. Always read the specific order from the issuing land management office — scope varies significantly.
Oregon ODF Industrial Fire Precaution Level — applies to industrial operations (logging, equipment) on ODF-protected state and private forestland. IFPL I is the lowest level; IFPL IV is the most restrictive. Separate from USFS campfire restrictions.
Restriction scope and exact prohibitions vary by agency and order. Always confirm with the issuing land management office or visit the official source linked above.
The Arkansas Forestry Division requires a free open-burning permit for all field, ditch, pasture, and debris burns — even when no burn ban is in effect. Permits are issued online and by phone. Agricultural burning requires a permit year-round, and the AFC must be notified of any planned burn 24 hours in advance. Never burn without a valid permit and always check current ban status before lighting.
Get Arkansas burning permit ↗Or call the Arkansas forestry hotline: 501-296-1940
Arkansas burn ban risk peaks twice per year. Spring (March–May) is the most dangerous window — winter rains taper off, humidity drops, and southerly winds arrive before summer monsoon moisture. Fall (October–November) is the secondary peak when summer humidity retreats, leaves dry out, and rainfall becomes sporadic. Prolonged drought during either window triggers the most widespread county-level bans. The lowest risk period is mid-summer (July–August) when heat-driven humidity is highest, and mid-winter when dormant fuels hold more moisture.
Statewide or regional burn bans and open-burning suspensions on state and private land.
County-wide burn bans — the level that most often affects homeowners and is easy to miss.
Stage 1–3 fire restrictions and closures on national forests, parks, and other federal land.
Municipal open-burning rules, fireworks bans, and local red-flag restrictions.
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The live map and status strip above show active Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches from the National Weather Service for Arkansas. For the legally binding answer, check the official Arkansas source: Arkansas Forestry Division at https://portal.arkansas.gov/service/state-burn-ban-map/. Also confirm with your county — a county burn ban can be in effect even when no statewide restriction exists.
During an active burn ban, Arkansas prohibits: All open burning of yard waste, brush, leaves, and debris; Campfires, fire pits, and recreational fires — including established fire rings; Burning barrels, burn cages, and incinerators; Field, pasture, ditch, and right-of-way burning; Agricultural debris burning (requires AFC permit even outside ban periods); Outdoor wood boilers when fire danger is high; Any fire started with gasoline, accelerants, or fire starters. Typically still allowed: Gas or liquid propane grills used for cooking on private residential property; Outdoor cooking appliances (pellet grills, smokers) on private residential property; Charcoal grills in still, calm conditions on private residential property — confirm locally; Candles and small contained flames indoors or on covered patios. Always verify the specific order with Arkansas Forestry Division — prohibited activities can vary by jurisdiction and restriction level.
Gas and propane grills used for cooking on private residential property are typically allowed during a Arkansas burn ban. Charcoal grills may be permitted in calm conditions but check the specific order. Wood-fired grills, outdoor fire pits, and campfires are usually prohibited. Always verify with Arkansas Forestry Division before lighting anything.
Multiple authorities can issue burn bans in Arkansas independently: Arkansas Forestry Division for statewide or regional orders; County Judge (by executive order) or the Quorum Court for county-wide bans that affect most homeowners; federal land managers (U.S. Forest Service, BLM, NPS) for Stage 1–3 restrictions on federal land; and cities or local fire districts for additional local rules. A county burn ban can be active even with no statewide restriction — always check both.
Burn bans in Arkansas have no fixed duration — they are issued when fire danger is high and lifted when conditions improve, which can happen overnight or persist for weeks during drought. Red Flag Warnings from the NWS typically last 24–48 hours. State and county burn bans are lifted separately. Check the issuing agency daily during dry, windy conditions.
Arkansas burn ban risk peaks twice per year. Spring (March–May) is the most dangerous window — winter rains taper off, humidity drops, and southerly winds arrive before summer monsoon moisture. Fall (October–November) is the secondary peak when summer humidity retreats, leaves dry out, and rainfall becomes sporadic. Prolonged drought during either window triggers the most widespread county-level bans. The lowest risk period is mid-summer (July–August) when heat-driven humidity is highest, and mid-winter when dormant fuels hold more moisture.
The Arkansas Forestry Division requires a free open-burning permit for all field, ditch, pasture, and debris burns — even when no burn ban is in effect. Permits are issued online and by phone. Agricultural burning requires a permit year-round, and the AFC must be notified of any planned burn 24 hours in advance. Never burn without a valid permit and always check current ban status before lighting.
Violating a Arkansas burn ban can result in: Class A misdemeanor: fines up to $2,500 and/or up to 1 year in county jail per violation; Full cost of fire suppression if your fire escapes and requires agency response; Civil liability for all property damage caused by an escaped or negligent fire; Felony charges possible if the fire causes serious injury, death, or large-scale destruction; Loss of ability to obtain future burning permits from the Arkansas Forestry Division.
Sign up for free FireRisk.ai fire alerts below — we'll notify you when the NWS issues a Red Flag Warning for your area of Arkansas. For county burn ban alerts, register with your county emergency management system (Nixle, Everbridge, or your county's sign-up page). Monitor Arkansas Forestry Division at https://portal.arkansas.gov/service/state-burn-ban-map/ for statewide orders.
FireRisk.ai aggregates live fire-weather alerts from the National Weather Service and links to official Arkansas agency sources. Burn ban status changes daily — always confirm with the official source and your county before any outdoor burning. This page is for awareness only and is not an official or legal notice. For fire emergencies call 911.
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