Burn Bans

Missouri has no statewide burn ban, but county burn bans ARE in effect in southwest Missouri. The State Fire Marshal's county burn-ban spreadsheet (the file linked from the official County Burn Bans page, dated September 16, 2026, re-read September 30, 2026 and still the only file the page links) lists 3 counties with a ban enacted and in place until further notice: Lawrence (enacted September 11, 2026), Ozark (enacted September 10, 2026) and Newton (enacted September 3, 2026). McDonald County's 30-day ban, enacted August 27, 2026, was listed to run through September 26, 2026 and "may be extended or rescinded at any time"; the file has not been updated since, so LawLert cannot confirm whether it was extended - check with McDonald County before burning. The same file lists requests still pending with no ban recorded for Carter, Dade, Ripley, Barry, Howell, Vernon, Oregon and Christian counties and the city of Pierce City, and lists Cedar, Jasper, Wright and Shannon counties with only a June 16, 2026 note and no ban dates - treat all of these as possibly restricted and confirm locally. Bans are issued locally - a county commission, municipality, or tax-supported fire protection district may enact one (RSMo 49.266), and for a county ban the State Fire Marshal must first determine it is appropriate and the U.S. Drought Monitor must show the county in severe, extreme, or exceptional drought; violating a county ban can carry a penalty up to a Class A misdemeanor. Two carve-outs: agricultural burning using best management practices and state fire-management activities are never subject to a county ban, and a ban cannot stop fireworks SALES - it may prohibit igniting missiles and skyrockets but not other consumer fireworks (RSMo 320.106). The state list can lag; confirm with your county, city, or fire protection district before any outdoor burning.