New York · New York County
New York County burn ban
New York keeps no single statewide burn ban list, so nobody — including us — can show you a live New York 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 York bans residential brush burning statewide every spring — mid-March through mid-May — and DEC can extend burn bans when fire danger stays high. Many towns and both forest preserve parks carry their own rules on top.
Where to check New York County today
- Statewide: the NYS DEC carry the statewide picture.
- Locally: New York 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 New York County fire marshal or burn line before you light.
How dry is it out there
Burn bans follow dry ground — see this week's drought picture. 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.