Burn Bans

Kentucky's fall forest fire hazard season STARTS on Thursday, October 1, 2026 and runs through December 15, 2026: during it, burning between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland is illegal (Division of Forestry, re-read September 30, 2026; the spring season runs February 15 through April 30). County burn bans are also in effect in 5 Kentucky counties: the Division of Forestry's official County Burn Bans page lists Barren, Logan, Ohio, Simpson and Todd and no others (re-read September 30, 2026). County judge-executives can issue local bans at any time under KRS 149.401 and the Division "isn't always notified when a burn ban is issued," so its list may be incomplete; a ban generally prohibits debris burning, campfires, bonfires, warming fires, open-pit cooking and charcoal grilling (violation is a misdemeanor) — restrictions are set county by county, so confirm with your county judge-executive's office or local fire department before burning. Year-round air-quality rules still limit what may be burned (natural vegetation only; burning garbage or waste is prohibited).