When the weather finally starts warming up in New York, it’s hard not to start thinking about evenings outside. Maybe you’re picturing the firepit going, a few friends hanging out, and everyone swapping stories about the winter that seemed like it would never end.
But every spring, someone inevitably says the same thing: “You can’t have a fire right now. There’s a burn ban.” That’s not completely true.
When Does New York’s Burn Ban Start and End?
In 2026, New York’s annual spring burn ban runs from March 16 through May 14. The rule is set each year by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to help prevent wildfires during the period when fires are most likely to start.
As snow melts and the weather warms, leftover leaves, grass, and brush dry out quickly and can catch fire easily, especially when spring winds pick up…