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 York county burn bans and USFS Stage 1–3 restrictions are separate — always confirm with your local fire authority.
Checking New York fire-weather alerts…
The NWS map above shows fire-weather alerts — for the legally binding burn ban status, go directly to the official New York source:
New York DECFire danger mapOpen official source ↗Also check your county government website — a county burn ban can be in effect even when New York has no statewide restriction.
🚫 Prohibited
✓ Usually Still Allowed
Always confirm with the issuing agency — specific orders vary.
County burn bans in New York 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.
NYSDEC publishes statewide open burning rules under Part 215 and tracks the annual residential brush burning ban (March 16–May 14). Individual counties and towns may adopt stricter ordinances; Adirondack and Catskill Park 'Fire Towns' have year-round permit requirements.
New York Open Burning Regulations — NYSDECView 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.
Residents in Adirondack and Catskill Park 'Fire Towns' must obtain a DEC burning permit before burning brush at any time of year. Outside of designated Fire Towns, brush burning outside the ban period requires notifying the local fire department. Permits are free and obtained through the local fire department or DEC regional office.
Get New York burning permit ↗Or call the New York forestry hotline: 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267)
New York's highest fire danger occurs mid-March through mid-May during the annual statewide brush ban period, when hardwood forests are leafless and ground fuels are dry after winter. The Adirondacks, Catskills, and Pine Barrens of Long Island face elevated risk, with a secondary fall danger window in October–November.
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 York. For the legally binding answer, check the official New York source: New York DEC at https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/wildfires/fire-danger-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, New York prohibits: Residential brush burning statewide from March 16 through May 14 (annual ban); Burning refuse, trash, garbage, tires, and solid waste at any time; Burning loose leaves or leaf piles in any location; Burning pressure-treated, painted, stained, or composite wood (plywood, particle board); Open burning in any incorporated village, city, or town of 20,000+ population without specific exemption; Burn barrels and outdoor incinerators; Burning construction debris and demolition waste. Typically still allowed: Campfires and cooking fires under 3 feet high and 4 feet in diameter using dry, untreated wood or charcoal; Ceremonial bonfires (flag disposal, religious items); Agricultural land fires on contiguous properties over 5 acres burning only organic agricultural waste; Brush burning outside the March 16–May 14 ban period in towns under 20,000 population; Propane and gas outdoor grills at any time. Always verify the specific order with New York DEC — 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 York 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 New York DEC before lighting anything.
Multiple authorities can issue burn bans in New York independently: New York DEC for statewide or regional orders; Local municipalities (towns, villages, cities) and counties may pass ordinances stricter than Part 215; DEC issues statewide rules. In Adirondack/Catskill Fire Towns, DEC District Rangers issue burning permits. 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 York 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 York's highest fire danger occurs mid-March through mid-May during the annual statewide brush ban period, when hardwood forests are leafless and ground fuels are dry after winter. The Adirondacks, Catskills, and Pine Barrens of Long Island face elevated risk, with a secondary fall danger window in October–November.
Residents in Adirondack and Catskill Park 'Fire Towns' must obtain a DEC burning permit before burning brush at any time of year. Outside of designated Fire Towns, brush burning outside the ban period requires notifying the local fire department. Permits are free and obtained through the local fire department or DEC regional office.
Violating a New York burn ban can result in: Civil penalty minimum $500 for first offense under Environmental Conservation Law; Misdemeanor charge possible for willful violations — up to 1 year imprisonment; Civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation per day under ECL; Criminal penalties for each continuing day of violation with multiplier factors for repeat offenders; Liability for all fire suppression costs 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 York. For county burn ban alerts, register with your county emergency management system (Nixle, Everbridge, or your county's sign-up page). Monitor New York DEC at https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/wildfires/fire-danger-map for statewide orders.
FireRisk.ai aggregates live fire-weather alerts from the National Weather Service and links to official New York 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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