New York State's Annual Burn Ban Returns in 2026

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New York State has implemented an annual burn ban since 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The 2026 burn ban will be in effect from March 16 through May 14, prohibiting the burning of sticks, brush, leaves, and branches. Residents in towns with fewer than 20,000 people are allowed to burn tree limbs and branches less than 6 inches in diameter, as well as small cooking and campfires using clean, untreated wood.

Why it matters

Wildfire is a persistent threat in New York, as evidenced by the 2024 Jennings Creek Wildfire that burned over 5,000 acres and claimed the life of a parks employee. The annual burn ban is a crucial measure to mitigate the risk of such devastating fires, especially during the dry spring months when they are most likely to occur.

The details

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation first introduced the yearly burn ban in 2009 to restrict open burning and prevent wildfires. While small cooking and campfires are permitted, the ban prohibits burning of sticks, brush, leaves, and branches. Residents in towns with fewer than 20,000 people can burn tree limbs and branches less than 6 inches in diameter during the ban period.

• The 2026 New York State burn ban will be in effect from March 16 through May 14.

What’s next

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will enforce the burn ban and monitor for any violations during the March 16 to May 14 period.