Burn Bans

Delaware's statewide Ozone Season open-burning ban has ENDED for 2026: DNREC's open-burning page (re-read October 1, 2026) states most open burning is prohibited May 1 through September 30 (7 DE Admin. Code 1113). From October 1 through April 30, a homeowner may burn cut or fallen branches, limbs or shrubbery from their own property only between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., no more than 27 cubic feet at one time, and must notify local fire control authorities first (State Fire Marshal: New Castle County 302-323-5365, Kent County 302-739-5665, Sussex County 302-856-5600). Leaves, grass clippings, garbage and trash may never be burned, and land-clearing debris may not be burned except for agriculture. Cooking fires (10 cubic feet), campfires (27 cubic feet), patio fire pits, chimeneas and ceremonial fires (27 cubic feet) are allowed year-round. ALL open burning, including previously approved burns, is banned on Air Quality Action Days (Code Orange or Code Red), and the State Fire Marshal can ban burning by county or statewide and the National Weather Service can issue a red flag warning at any time. LawLert did not find a published list of current Fire Marshal bans this run — check with your county fire board before you burn.