← Delaware burn ban rules›Current Fire Restrictions

Delaware Current Fire Restrictions (2026)

Conditional: Delaware's annual statewide open-burning ban ("Ozone Season") is in effect NOW — most open burning is prohibited May 1 through Sept 30 (DNREC, 7 DE Admin. Code 1113).

Delaware's annual statewide open-burning ban ("Ozone Season") is in effect NOW — most open burning is prohibited May 1 through Sept 30 (DNREC, 7 DE Admin. Code 1113). Cooking fires, recreational campfires and ceremonial bonfires remain allowed year-round (firewood, charcoal, propane or natural gas). ALL open burning — including otherwise-approved burns — is additionally banned on Air Quality Action Days (Code Orange/Red), and the State Fire Marshal can separately ban burning by county or statewide (no such wildfire ban is currently posted; the last was Oct 2024). Burning garbage, fallen leaves, grass clippings and non-agricultural land-clearing debris is illegal at all times. Limited residential burning resumes Oct 1 (8 a.m.–4 p.m., with county fire board notification).

Official source: dnrec.delaware.gov →

Check the live restriction status: dnrec.delaware.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.