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
New Hampshire county burn bans and USFS Stage 1–3 restrictions are separate — always confirm with your local fire authority.
Checking New Hampshire fire-weather alerts…
The NWS map above shows fire-weather alerts — for the legally binding burn ban status, go directly to the official New Hampshire source:
NH Division of Forests & LandsDaily fire dangerOpen official source ↗Also check your county government website — a county burn ban can be in effect even when New Hampshire has no statewide restriction.
🚫 Prohibited
✓ Usually Still Allowed
Always confirm with the issuing agency — specific orders vary.
County burn bans in New Hampshire 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 NH Division of Forests and Lands publishes fire permit requirements and statewide burn ban status. All open fires require a fire permit from the local Forest Fire Warden when the ground is not covered with snow. Statewide emergency bans are issued by the Governor's proclamation. Online permits (where available) are at NHFirePermit.com.
New Hampshire Fire Permits & Burn Restrictions — NH Division of Forests and LandsView 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.
New Hampshire requires a fire permit from the local Forest Fire Warden (or a Deputy Warden/Issuing Agent) for all outdoor fires when the ground is not covered by snow. Permits are free and issued only on days when fire danger conditions are safe. Municipalities that have opted into the program can issue permits online at NHFirePermit.com. The state has over 2,300 wardens, deputy wardens, and issuing agents statewide.
Get New Hampshire burning permit ↗Or call the New Hampshire forestry hotline: 603-271-2214
New Hampshire's fire danger peaks from early April through late May before green-up, particularly in the Lakes Region, White Mountains foothills, and southern tier communities. The state experienced some of its most active fire years during drought periods. A secondary fall season emerges in October when leaf-off conditions and low humidity coincide.
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 New Hampshire. For the legally binding answer, check the official New Hampshire source: NH Division of Forests & Lands at https://www.nhdfl.dncr.nh.gov/forest-protection/daily-fire-danger. Also confirm with your county — a county burn ban can be in effect even when no statewide restriction exists.
During an active burn ban, New Hampshire prohibits: Any outdoor fire without a written fire permit from the local Forest Fire Warden when the ground is not snow-covered; Kindling fires when daily fire danger conditions are rated too high for safe burning; Burning treated wood, plastics, garbage, and non-wood materials; Wood larger than 5 inches in diameter or 8 feet in length in recreational fires; Open burning near woodland during a Governor's statewide emergency proclamation ban; Smoking in or near woodland during a Governor's emergency proclamation; Open burning without the permittee being at least 18 years of age. Typically still allowed: Open fires with a valid written fire permit from the Forest Fire Warden on safe fire-danger days; Propane and natural gas grills at any time; Charcoal grills for cooking; Campfires using untreated wood, untreated pallets, or charcoal with a permit; Burning exempt when ground is fully covered with snow. Always verify the specific order with NH Division of Forests & Lands — 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 New Hampshire 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 NH Division of Forests & Lands before lighting anything.
Multiple authorities can issue burn bans in New Hampshire independently: NH Division of Forests & Lands for statewide or regional orders; Town Forest Fire Wardens and Deputy Wardens (appointed by the NH State Forester/Director of the Division of Forests and Lands) issue all fire permits at the local level. Statewide emergency bans require a Governor's proclamation endorsed by the Executive Council. 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 New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire's fire danger peaks from early April through late May before green-up, particularly in the Lakes Region, White Mountains foothills, and southern tier communities. The state experienced some of its most active fire years during drought periods. A secondary fall season emerges in October when leaf-off conditions and low humidity coincide.
New Hampshire requires a fire permit from the local Forest Fire Warden (or a Deputy Warden/Issuing Agent) for all outdoor fires when the ground is not covered by snow. Permits are free and issued only on days when fire danger conditions are safe. Municipalities that have opted into the program can issue permits online at NHFirePermit.com. The state has over 2,300 wardens, deputy wardens, and issuing agents statewide.
Violating a New Hampshire burn ban can result in: Burning without a permit or recklessly kindling a fire endangering woodlands — Misdemeanor under RSA 227-L, fine up to $2,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail; Civil liability to the town for all expenses incurred attending or extinguishing the fire; Written fire permit suspended immediately upon violation; Official Notice or Summons issued; Additional civil penalties for violations of environmental burning regulations under NH DES; Liability for all suppression costs and property damages if fire escapes.
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 New Hampshire. For county burn ban alerts, register with your county emergency management system (Nixle, Everbridge, or your county's sign-up page). Monitor NH Division of Forests & Lands at https://www.nhdfl.dncr.nh.gov/forest-protection/daily-fire-danger for statewide orders.
FireRisk.ai aggregates live fire-weather alerts from the National Weather Service and links to official New Hampshire 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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