Warren County Office of Emergency Services is reminding Warren County residents that New York State’s annual spring “burn ban” is in effect from Monday, March 16, 2026 through Thursday, May 14, 2026. Snow and ice have begun to recede in parts of the region, resulting in dry, flammable leaves and brush being revealed.
New York State’s burn ban is put in place each year to lessen the chance of wildfires, and New York State has experienced 42% fewer wildfires annually since the annual springtime ban was implemented in 2009.
Still, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers and fire companies around New York annually respond to and extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres, with 95% of them resulting from human causes.
Warren County Fire Coordinator Ralph Bartlett urged that those who spot unattended fires call 911 if there appears to be an emergency, or use non-emergency phone numbers to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office (518-743-2500) or NYS DEC (518-897-1303) if the situation does not appear to be an emergency.
Bartlett said: "Compliance with the New York State Burn Ban helps to protect the communities that we will in. Outdoor fire conditions rapidly change in the spring due,to low humidity and winds. By complying with the rules governing open burning during this time period you can reduce the risks to property and the dedicated fire fighters in your communities."
New York State regulations ban both open burning and burning in barrels.
Open burning is prohibited year-round in towns with more than 20,000 residents, such as Queensbury, as well as all villages such as Lake George and cities such as Glens Falls. Smoke contains particulates, known as soot, and gasses, such as carbon monoxide, that are hazardous to health.
It is illegal to burn household garbage and loose piles of leaves any time of year under New York State law, as denoted here.
When the burn ban is not in effect, residents in towns with population of under 20,000 may burn tree limbs with attached leaves. The limbs must be less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length (also referred to as brush). Those seeking to burn materials outside of the burn ban period are required to get a permit from the NYS DEC and should make notification when initiating a fire. Find more details here.
New York State makes the following exceptions for open burning:
- Camp fires or any other outdoor fires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed.
- Small cooking fires are allowed.
- Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed. Disposal of flags or religious items in a small-sized fire is allowed, if it is not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.
- Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.
- Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.
Warren County Office of Emergency Services asks that residents follow New York State DEC guidelines for campfire safety, detailed here.
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