New Castle County, Delaware
Open burning is currently prohibited in New Castle county.
What this means
- Open burning of yard waste, brush and debris
- Trash and vegetation burning of any kind
- Warming fires and unattended fires outdoors
- Small cooking fires (grill, camp stove)
Penalties in Delaware
Violating DNREC's open burning regulation (7 DE Admin. Code 1113) is enforced under Delaware's Environmental Control Act. 7 Del. C. § 6013 sets a civil penalty of not less than $2,500 nor more than $25,000 for each day of violation. DNREC's own public guidance for residents describes enforcement only as citations carrying fines plus court costs, without stating a specific citizen-facing amount — the statutory range above is the maximum exposure under the Act, not necessarily what a first-time residential citation draws in practice.
Classification: Civil penalty under the Environmental Control Act · Maximum fine: $2,500 to $25,000 per day of violation (7 Del. C. § 6013)
Sources & audit log
| Checked | Source | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | DNREC Division of Air Quality — Open Burning ↗ | status: Burn Ban in Effect |
Neighbouring counties
Notify me when this changes
One email when New Castle county's status changes — nothing else. No newsletter, no marketing. One-click unsubscribe.
Still legal during a ban
None of these are a way around New Castle county's restriction — they're what stays legal regardless of it: contained burning, screened fire pits, and basic fire safety gear. Always confirm locally before burning anything.
Contained burn barrels
A lidded, spark-arrestor barrel keeps debris burning contained rather than as open burning — check your county's rules, since some bans cover any outdoor fire regardless of containment.
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Most burn bans target open debris burning, not a screened recreational fire pit — but always confirm locally, since some restrictions cover any outdoor flame.
Fire extinguishers
Always worth having on hand near any permitted fire, ban or no ban.
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Limits of this information
burnbanradar reads public burn-ban orders as published by DNREC Division of Air Quality — Open Burning and reports them unchanged. Cities and municipalities within New Castle county may impose stricter rules than the county order. Water districts and state forestry rules may add further restrictions. When an order is ambiguous or the source cannot be reached, we show Unconfirmed instead of guessing a status. The county's own posted order governs.
Common questions
Is New Castle county under a burn ban right now?
Yes. New Castle county is currently under a burn ban issued by DNREC Division of Air Quality — Open Burning. Open burning is prohibited until the order is lifted.
When did the New Castle burn ban start?
The exact start date is not carried in the source feed. We started tracking this ban at Aug 21, 2026.
What can I still burn in New Castle county during this ban?
During a burn ban, small cooking fires (grills, camp stoves) typically remain allowed. Open burning of yard waste, brush, debris, and trash is prohibited. Consult the county order or fire marshal for exceptions — some jurisdictions permit specific commercial activities.
How do I report an illegal fire in New Castle county?
Call 911 for any fire that is out of control or threatens property. For non-emergency violations of a burn-ban order, contact the New Castle Sheriff's Office or fire marshal.