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
Kentucky county burn bans and USFS Stage 1–3 restrictions are separate — always confirm with your local fire authority.
Checking Kentucky fire-weather alerts…
The NWS map above shows fire-weather alerts — for the legally binding burn ban status, go directly to the official Kentucky source:
Kentucky Division of ForestryOutdoor burning laws & seasonsOpen official source ↗Also check your county government website — a county burn ban can be in effect even when Kentucky has no statewide restriction.
🚫 Prohibited
✓ Usually Still Allowed
Always confirm with the issuing agency — specific orders vary.
County burn bans in Kentucky 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.
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet's Division of Forestry publishes county-level burn ban status at this official URL. County judge-executives issue local burn bans under KRS 149.401; the Division of Forestry posts known active bans but notes it is not always notified immediately when a ban is issued, so residents should also verify with their county judge-executive's office.
Kentucky County Burn Bans — Kentucky Energy and Environment CabinetView 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.
Kentucky does not have a statewide residential burn permit system — the state relies on the fire hazard season time restrictions in KRS 149.400 rather than permits. Some individual counties may require local burn permits; residents should contact their county clerk or local fire department. For questions about burning regulations, contact the Kentucky Division of Forestry at 502-782-7159 or email burnlaw@ky.gov. Call 1-888-BURN-LAW (1-888-287-6529) for general guidance.
Get Kentucky burning permit ↗Or call the Kentucky forestry hotline: 502-782-7159
Kentucky's Appalachian fire season peaks during two distinct windows: spring (February 15 through April 30) and fall (October 1 through December 15). Eastern Kentucky's steep Coal and Cumberland Mountain terrain in the Appalachian Plateau sees the highest wildfire frequency, particularly when leaf litter is dry and before spring green-up. Gusty spring winds funneling through mountain hollows and valleys amplify fire spread risk significantly.
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 Kentucky. For the legally binding answer, check the official Kentucky source: Kentucky Division of Forestry at https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/wildland-fire-management/pages/outdoor-burning-laws.aspx. Also confirm with your county — a county burn ban can be in effect even when no statewide restriction exists.
During an active burn ban, Kentucky prohibits: Setting fire to any flammable material within 150 feet of woodland or brushland between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. during fire hazard seasons (KRS 149.400); Burning garbage, synthetic materials, or non-natural plant matter at any time; All open burning prohibited during a county judge-executive's burn ban order; Burning forest, grass, crops, woodlands, or marshes during a burn ban; Leaf and debris burning during an active county burn ban; Campfires, bonfires, and warming fires during an active county burn ban; Any fire within 150 feet of woodland/brushland during the spring (Feb 15–Apr 30) or fall (Oct 1–Dec 15) fire hazard seasons between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.. Typically still allowed: Burning after 6 p.m. and before 6 a.m. during fire hazard season (if no county ban in effect); Burning when ground is covered with snow; Propane and natural gas grills for food preparation at any time; Plant bed burning (specific exemption under KRS 149.400); Fires by railroad, utility, or pipeline company employees for authorized construction and maintenance (specific exemption). Always verify the specific order with Kentucky Division of Forestry — 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky Division of Forestry before lighting anything.
Multiple authorities can issue burn bans in Kentucky independently: Kentucky Division of Forestry for statewide or regional orders; County Judge-Executive (under KRS 149.401) 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 Kentucky 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.
Kentucky's Appalachian fire season peaks during two distinct windows: spring (February 15 through April 30) and fall (October 1 through December 15). Eastern Kentucky's steep Coal and Cumberland Mountain terrain in the Appalachian Plateau sees the highest wildfire frequency, particularly when leaf litter is dry and before spring green-up. Gusty spring winds funneling through mountain hollows and valleys amplify fire spread risk significantly.
Kentucky does not have a statewide residential burn permit system — the state relies on the fire hazard season time restrictions in KRS 149.400 rather than permits. Some individual counties may require local burn permits; residents should contact their county clerk or local fire department. For questions about burning regulations, contact the Kentucky Division of Forestry at 502-782-7159 or email burnlaw@ky.gov. Call 1-888-BURN-LAW (1-888-287-6529) for general guidance.
Violating a Kentucky burn ban can result in: Violating KRS 149.400 fire hazard season burning restrictions: misdemeanor under Kentucky law; Violating a county burn ban (KRS 149.401): misdemeanor punishable by law, fines reported up to $500 per violation; Kentucky misdemeanor Class A: up to 12 months jail and fines up to $500 per KRS 534.040; Civil liability for firefighting suppression costs if fire escapes and damages others' property.
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 Kentucky. For county burn ban alerts, register with your county emergency management system (Nixle, Everbridge, or your county's sign-up page). Monitor Kentucky Division of Forestry at https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/wildland-fire-management/pages/outdoor-burning-laws.aspx for statewide orders.
FireRisk.ai aggregates live fire-weather alerts from the National Weather Service and links to official Kentucky 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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