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Kansas Current Fire Restrictions (2026)

Info: Kansas has no statewide emergency burn ban, but open burning is prohibited by default statewide under K.A.R. 28-19-645: "a person shall not cause or permit the open burning of any wastes, structures, vegetation, or any other materials on any premises" except as authorized by K.A.R. 28-19-647 (advance approval plus notifying the local fire-control authority) and 28-19-648 (agricultural, range-management and recreational exemptions).

Kansas has no statewide emergency burn ban, but open burning is prohibited by default statewide under K.A.R. 28-19-645: "a person shall not cause or permit the open burning of any wastes, structures, vegetation, or any other materials on any premises" except as authorized by K.A.R. 28-19-647 (advance approval plus notifying the local fire-control authority) and 28-19-648 (agricultural, range-management and recreational exemptions). DURING APRIL, in 16 counties, K.A.R. 28-19-645a SUPERSEDES that rule with a stricter one: Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Geary, Greenwood, Johnson, Lyon, Marion, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Sedgwick, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte — which includes the Kansas City and Wichita metros. In April in those counties only three things stay exempt: range or pasture management and CRP burns meeting K.A.R. 28-19-648(a)(1)-(4); residential burning on a premise of five or fewer dwelling units incidental to normal habitation, unless the local authority prohibits it; and burning for cooking or ceremonial purposes on land regularly used for recreation. Crop-residue, wildlife-management and watershed-management burning are NOT exempt in April even though they are allowed the rest of the year. Anything else needs secretary approval under 28-19-645a(c)-(d), and in Johnson, Wyandotte and Sedgwick counties land-clearing and clean construction wood-waste burns need local approval. Local jurisdictions may be stricter. County commissioners also declare their own bans on top of all this, and Red Flag Warnings recur through the summer — where either is active, do not burn. Confirm with county emergency management and notify your local fire authority before any otherwise-permitted burn.

Official source: kdhe.ks.gov →

Check the live restriction status: ksfire.org →

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