Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Burn Bans

    Burn bans are a tool used to protect life, property, and natural resources from wildfire.

     

    Ninety-eight percent of the wildfires in Pennsylvania are a direct result of people’s actions, and place emergency responders directly in harm’s way.

     

    They also tie up emergency responders and equipment that serve the community in the event of traffic accidents, house fires, and other emergencies.

    Open burning is defined as the ignition and subsequent burning of any combustible material (garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetative matter involved with land clearing, or any sort of debris) out-of-doors, either in a burn barrel or on the ground.

    The use of propane or gas stoves, charcoal briquette grills, or the use of tobacco in any form is not covered under county burn bans.

    Unless stated otherwise in a State Lands Burn Ban (see below) or by federal authorities, campfires are allowed in the fire rings that confine and contain the campfire in a designated state, federal, or Commonwealth licensed campground.

    Burn Bans Currently in Place in Pennsylvania​

    Open the Pennsylvania County Burn Bans Map in a new window.

    If you plan to burn,​​ be sure ​to check with your local authorities to confirm burning is permitted.

    Local municipalities and county offices may have additional burning restrictions or ban information.

    County Burn Bans

    County burn bans on open burning can be put in place at the request of the district fire warden (usually the district forester), after at least 10 fire chiefs or 50 percent of the fire chiefs in the county, whichever is less, recommend and request the imposition of a temporary countywide burn ban on open fires.

    Any burn ban imposed under this section (Act 1995-52) shall remain in effect for no more than 30 days.

    County commissioners, upon recommendation of the district forester, may extend the ban for up to an additional 30 days.

    State Lands Burn Bans

    State agencies can enact burn bans on lands they manage, including state forests, state parks, and state game lands.

    State Lands Burn Bans currrently in place include:

    • None

    Statewide Burn Bans

    Statewide bans must be implemented by a Governor’s proclamation.

    State bans prohibit smoking of tobacco in any form and building of camp fires or burning of brush and other debris within woodlands or within 200 feet of woodlands within any county of the Commonwealth.

    Wildfire Danger Ratings

    The most recent observed conditions and a short term forecast are posted daily ​on the Wildfire​ page under the Wildfire Danger Maps heading.

    ​Additional Information

    U.S. Forest Service Active Fire Mapping

    Understanding Wildfire Danger Ratings (PDF)

    Questions?

    For general information on wildland fire, contact the DCNR Bureau of Forestry.