Local Burn Bans Implemented With Warm Week Ahead!

State Lands Reminder (applies statewide):

  • From March 1 through May 25, fires in fire rings and fireplaces are prohibited on Pennsylvania state forest lands when wildfire danger is high.
  • These restrictions apply even if your county has no ban.

Berks County Burn-Ban Information:

  • Birdsboro BoroughHas issued local burn bans outside of county action when conditions warranted
  • As of March 2026, Birdsboro publicly posted a local burn ban notice on its municipal website [birdsboropa.org]
  • Upper Bern TownshipPreviously enacted a township‑level burn ban during drought conditions independent of county action

Cumberland County Burn-Ban Information:

Hopewell Township currently has a township‑wide burn ban in effect, prohibiting all open burning until further notice

Dauphin County Burn-Ban Information:

Several municipalities in Dauphin County have enacted their own temporary bans due to dry conditions:

  • Millersburg Borough — Active burn ban prohibiting all open burning, including trash, yard waste, bonfires, and recreational fires. Gas/charcoal grills and approved cooking devices are allowed. The ban remains in place until further notice.
  • Upper Paxton Township — A temporary open burning ban was enacted by township supervisors due to dry conditions. It prohibits open burning and fireworks for 30 days unless lifted earlier

Lancaster County Burn‑Ban Information:

These areas currently have burn bans in effect:

  • Clay Township
    • Temporary local burn ban in effect
    • Adopted due to elevated fire danger conditions
    • Ban applies even though the county ban was lifted
  • East Petersburg Borough
    • Local burn ban currently in effect
    • Issued independently of county action due to wildfire concerns

Perry County Burn-Ban Information

  • Rye Township — has issued a local burn ban in the past when conditions warranted
  • Carroll Township — has also implemented its own burn ban due to having local enforcement capability

York County Burn‑Ban Status

Countywide Ban: ACTIVE

York County Commissioners issued a 30‑day countywide burn ban due to extremely dry conditions, low stream and groundwater levels, and elevated wildfire danger.

✅ What you should do before burning

Because rules vary by municipality:

  1. Check your specific township or borough (many publish burn bans on their websites or social media).
  2. Review the PA DCNR Burn Ban Map for official updates. [pa.gov]
  3. When in doubt, contact your local fire company or township office.

🔥 What does a Burn Ban mean:

🚫 Open burning (the biggest category)

This is almost always fully banned:

  • Burning leaves, brush, or yard waste
  • Burn barrels (screened or unscreened)
  • Ground fires or pile burning
  • Burning paper, cardboard, wood scraps, or debris
  • Cleaning land by burning vegetation

🚫 Recreational fires

Usually not allowed, including:

  • Backyard fire pits
  • Bonfires
  • Patio chimineas (if wood‑fueled)
  • Camp‑style fires on private property

🚫 Fire rings (with limited exceptions)

  • Not allowed on private property
  • May be allowed only in:
    • State, federal, or DEP‑licensed campgrounds
    • Official fire rings (if specifically exempted in the ban)

🚫 Agricultural burning (sometimes restricted)

  • Often allowed only for normal farming operations
  • Some bans temporarily suspend agricultural burning
  • Always subject to strict safety conditions
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