Burn bans in Kentucky
Kentucky's Fire Hazard Seasons statute (KRS 149.400) prohibits burning within 150 feet of woodland or brushland between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM from February 15 through April 30 and from October 1 through December 15. County judge-executives can also issue local burn bans; the Division of Forestry keeps a list of reported county bans, but counties are not required to notify the state.
Statewide, within 150 feet of any woodland, brushland, or field containing dry grass. Cities and counties may impose additional bans.
Restricted hours: 06:00 – 18:00 local time
All counties in Kentucky
| county | Status | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Adair | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Allen | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Anderson | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Ballard | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Barren | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Bath | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Bell | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Boone | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Bourbon | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Boyd | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Boyle | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Bracken | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Breathitt | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Breckinridge | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Bullitt | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Butler | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Caldwell | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Calloway | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Campbell | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Carlisle | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Carroll | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Carter | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Casey | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Christian | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Clark | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Clay | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Clinton | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Crittenden | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Cumberland | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Daviess | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Edmonson | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Elliott | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Estill | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Fayette | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Fleming | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Floyd | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Franklin | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Fulton | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Gallatin | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Garrard | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Grant | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Graves | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Grayson | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Green | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Greenup | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Hancock | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Hardin | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Harlan | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Harrison | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Hart | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Henderson | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Henry | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Hickman | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Hopkins | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Jackson | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Jefferson | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Jessamine | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Johnson | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Kenton | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Knott | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Knox | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Larue | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Laurel | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Lawrence | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Lee | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Leslie | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Letcher | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Lewis | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Lincoln | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Livingston | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Logan | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Lyon | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Madison | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Magoffin | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Marion | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Marshall | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Martin | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Mason | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| McCracken | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| McCreary | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| McLean | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Meade | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Menifee | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Mercer | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Metcalfe | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Monroe | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Montgomery | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Morgan | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Muhlenberg | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Nelson | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Nicholas | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Ohio | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Oldham | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Owen | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Owsley | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Pendleton | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Perry | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Pike | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Powell | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Pulaski | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Robertson | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Rockcastle | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Rowan | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Russell | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Scott | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Shelby | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Simpson | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Spencer | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Taylor | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Todd | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Trigg | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Trimble | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Union | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Warren | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Washington | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Wayne | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Webster | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Whitley | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Wolfe | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Woodford | Partial Restrictions | Oct 1, 2026 |
How Kentucky decides
- The Fire Hazard Seasons statute is permanent — restriction returns each year on the same dates.
- Restricted hours are 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM during the seasons. Burning is legal after 6 PM.
- The 150-foot rule applies — burning further from woodland or dry grass may be legal.
- Local county burn bans exist but the Division of Forestry's list is not always complete.
Penalties in Kentucky
A first violation of KRS 149.400 is a Class B misdemeanor. If a fire escapes and damages property, the responsible party is also liable for suppression costs. County-imposed burn bans may add separate misdemeanor penalties.
Classification: Class B misdemeanor · Maximum fine: up to $250 (statutory) or as set by local ordinance
Common questions about Kentucky burn bans
Is there a burn ban in Kentucky right now?
No county-level burn ban is currently reported by Kentucky Division of Forestry for Kentucky. The statewide DEC seasonal rule may still restrict burning during certain windows. Municipal rules within a county may still apply.
How does Kentucky issue a burn ban?
Kentucky's Fire Hazard Seasons statute (KRS 149.400) prohibits burning within 150 feet of woodland or brushland between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM from February 15 through April 30 and from October 1 through December 15. County judge-executives can also issue local burn bans; the Division of Forestry keeps a list of reported county bans, but counties are not required to notify the state.
When is the Kentucky burning restriction in effect?
February 15 through April 30 and October 1 through December 15, between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM local time. Today the rule is in effect.
What are the penalties for violating a burn ban in Kentucky?
A first violation of KRS 149.400 is a Class B misdemeanor. If a fire escapes and damages property, the responsible party is also liable for suppression costs. County-imposed burn bans may add separate misdemeanor penalties.
burnbanradar reports the counties-level orders as published by Kentucky Division of Forestry. Municipal ordinances may impose stricter rules. When Kentucky Division of Forestry does not list a county, that does not mean no ban exists — verify with the county office. The published order governs.