03/13/2026
New York State Burn Ban Begins March 16
The New York State Annual Burn Ban goes into effect Monday, March 16th and will remain in place through May 14th.
Since 2009, this burn ban has helped reduce the risk of wildfires during the early spring months. While it may seem like the ground is wet this time of year, the leaves, grass, and brush from last season are still very dry and dead underneath. This dead vegetation can ignite quickly and allow fires to spread rapidly, especially on windy days.
Spring is one of the highest-risk times for wildfires because:
• Vegetation from the previous year is dry and highly flammable
• Trees and plants have not fully greened up yet
• Winds can quickly spread fire across fields and wooded areas
Even a small debris fire can quickly get out of control, putting homes, property, and emergency responders at risk.
Open burning of brush and yard debris is prohibited during this time.
We ask everyone in our community to help prevent wildfires by following the burn ban and encouraging others to do the same.
If you see a fire that appears out of control, call 911 immediately.
