New Hampshire · Cheshire County
Cheshire County burn ban
New Hampshire keeps no single statewide burn ban list, so nobody — including us — can show you a live Cheshire County status on one page. Here's who declares a ban here and where today's answer lives.
Who declares a burn ban here
New Hampshire requires a written fire permit for any open fire unless the ground is snow-covered — town forest fire wardens issue them, and stop issuing when the state's daily fire danger climbs.
Where to check Cheshire County today
- Statewide: the NH Division of Forests and Lands carry the statewide picture.
- Locally: Cheshire County's own channels come first — the courthouse, the fire marshal or emergency manager, the sheriff's office, and the county's website or public notices. A local declaration is posted there before it shows up anywhere else.
- Before you strike a match: your local fire department can tell you in one phone call whether burning is allowed today and whether you need a permit.
Rules change fast in dry weather — confirm with the Cheshire County fire marshal or burn line before you light.
How dry is it out there
Burn bans follow dry ground, and 19% of New Hampshire is in drought this week. See the New Hampshire drought page — it's usually the best clue to where bans are headed.
Burning on public land instead? County rules stop at the boundary — check the forest's fire restrictions and what stage 1 and stage 2 mean.