Controlled Burn Reporting

Burn Ban Declaration List

Remember, you are responsible for any damages caused by a fire you start! 

    Report a Burn

    Step 1.Make Sure Your Burn Complies with NYS Law

    On October 14, 2009 new regulations instituted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation took effect. These new regulations significantly change what materials can be burned, and when they can be burned. A few key points include:

    • Burning household trash in burn barrels is now illegal.
    • Burning leaves is now banned in New York State.
    • Burning pressure treated lumber and plywood is prohibited. 

    Step 2.Make Sure Your Burn Complies with Local Regulations

    Towns, villages, cities and counties can still pass ordinances that are stricter than, and not inconsistent with, open fire regulations.

    The DEC still requires a permit be obtained if you plan to burn brush and you live in a town which is totally or partially within the Catskill Park (this includes the towns of Denning, Gardiner, Hardenburgh, Olive, Rochester, Shandaken, Shawangunk, Wawarsing and Woodstock). For a complete list of the new DEC regulations, visit the DEC website.

    Review the Local Contacts Table to see who to contact in your municipality.

    Step 3.Report Your Burn

    Call 845-338-1440.

    Who do I contact about controlled burns in my municipality?

    Municipality Fire District Official Special Notes
    Denning Town Clerk
    Ellenville (Village) No burning
    Esopus Connelly Connelly Fire Chief
    Esopus Esopus Esopus Fire Chief
    Esopus Port Ewen Port Ewen Fire Chief
    Esopus Rifton Rifton Fire Chief
    Esopus St. Remy St. Remy Fire Chief
    Gardiner Town Clerk
    Majestic Hardware
    DEC Ranger
    Hardenburgh Town Clerk
    Hurley No permit needed
    Kingston (City) No burning
    Kingston (Town) Sawkill Sawkill Fire Chief
    Kingston (Town) West Hurley West Hurley Fire Chief
    Lloyd Building Department
    Marbletown No permit needed
    Marlboro Town Clerk
    New Paltz (Town) No permit needed
    New Paltz (Village) No burning
    Olive Town Clerk
    DEC Ranger
    No Sunday burning
    Plattekill No permit needed
    Plattekill DEC Ranger Off-site material
    Rochester Town Clerk No Sunday burning
    Rosendale Fire Marshall
    Saugerties (Town) No burning
    Saugerties (Village) No burning
    Shandaken Town Clerk
    Shawangunk Fire Warden
    Ulster Bloomington Bloomington Fire Chief
    Ulster East Kingston East Kingston Fire Chief
    Ulster Ruby Ruby Fire Chief
    Ulster Spring Lake Spring Lake Fire Chief
    Ulster Ulster Hose #5 Ulster Hose Fire Chief
    Wawarsing Town Clerk
    Woodstock Woodstock Dispatch

    What can be burned?

    Under NYS Law, the following types of burns are permitted:

    • Campfires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter
    • Small cooking fires
    • Ceremonial bonfire fires
    • In towns with a population of less than 20,000, you may burn tree limbs with attached leaves. The limbs must be less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length. However, this is not allowed from March 16 through May 14.
    • Organic agricultural waste (pesticides, plastics and non-organic materials are prohibited).
    • Liquid petroleum fueled smudge pots to prevent frost damage to crops.

    Local laws may be stricter than state law.

    To report environmental law violations, call 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332). If you need to report an immediately dangerous condition, call 911.

    Remember, you are responsible for any damages caused by a fire you start!