Fire restrictions & burn bans by state
What you can and can’t burn right now — the live fire-weather signal from the National Weather Service, what each restriction stage means, and the official source to confirm the legal status for every state.
Checking Red Flag Warnings…
A Red Flag Warning means critical fire-weather — low humidity plus wind — where any new fire can spread fast. Source: National Weather Service.
The restriction stages, explained
The standardized interagency levels used across federal land and most state agencies:
No building, maintaining, or using a fire / campfire outside of permanent, agency-provided fire rings in developed sites. No smoking except in an enclosed vehicle, building, or a cleared three-foot area. Charcoal and wood fires are generally prohibited; many petroleum/gas stoves with a shutoff valve are still allowed.
Everything in Stage 1, plus: no campfires anywhere (even in developed sites), no operating equipment with an internal-combustion engine off designated roads, no welding or using an open flame torch, and tight limits on chainsaws (spark arrestor + extinguisher + shovel, restricted hours). Gas stoves with a shutoff are usually the only cooking flame still permitted.
The most restrictive step — the affected public land is closed entirely. Entry is generally prohibited except for residents, permit holders, and authorized personnel. Stage 3 is reserved for extreme fire danger or active large-fire conditions.
Fire restrictions by state
Who issues fire restrictions
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.
Fire restrictions FAQ
What is the difference between a fire restriction and a burn ban?
They overlap. “Fire restrictions” usually refers to the standardized Stage 1–3 system used on federal and state land, limiting campfires, equipment, and eventually closing the area. A “burn ban” is the common term — often issued by a county or state forester — for a temporary prohibition on open and outdoor burning. Both make outdoor fire illegal where they apply; always check the one covering your exact location.
Who issues fire restrictions and burn bans?
Independently and often overlapping: state forestry agencies (statewide/regional), county commissioners or fire marshals (county-wide burn bans, which most affect homeowners), federal land managers like the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and National Park Service (Stage 1–3 on their land), and cities or local fire districts. Because several can apply at once, confirm both state and county.
How do I know if there’s a burn ban where I live right now?
There is no single national feed that is authoritative for every county, so the reliable method is to check your state’s official agency and your county government — both linked from each state page here. As a conditions signal, this site shows the live National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches, which frequently precede or accompany new restrictions.
What are the penalties for violating a fire ban?
They vary by jurisdiction but commonly include fines, and — critically — if a fire you start escapes, you can be held liable for the cost of suppressing it and for the damage it causes, which can run into the millions. When in doubt, don’t burn.
FireRisk.ai aggregates official fire-weather data from the National Weather Service and links to each state’s official agency for the legal restriction status. Restrictions change daily and vary by jurisdiction — always confirm with the official source and your local authorities before any outdoor burning.
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