Burn bans in New Jersey
Under the General Forest Fire Act (N.J.S.A. 13:9-44 et seq.), an outdoor fire within or near a forest needs a permit from the NJ Forest Fire Service (NJFFS). NJFFS tracks two separate restriction levels per county: a recreational/campfire restriction (No restriction, or Stage 1 through Stage 3, escalating from banning ground fires to banning all wood and charcoal fires) and a separate agricultural open-burning restriction. Either restriction can be active independently of the other, and both can change without advance notice as fire-weather conditions shift.
All counties in New Jersey
| county | Status | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Bergen | Unconfirmed | Aug 19, 2026 |
| Hudson | Unconfirmed | Aug 19, 2026 |
| Atlantic | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Burlington | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Camden | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Cape May | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Cumberland | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Essex | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Gloucester | No Restrictions | Aug 19, 2026 |
| Hunterdon | No Restrictions | Aug 19, 2026 |
| Mercer | No Restrictions | Aug 19, 2026 |
| Middlesex | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Monmouth | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Morris | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Ocean | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Passaic | No Restrictions | Aug 19, 2026 |
| Salem | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Somerset | No Restrictions | Aug 19, 2026 |
| Sussex | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Union | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Warren | No Restrictions | Aug 16, 2026 |
How New Jersey decides
- New Jersey rates two restrictions separately: how you can have a campfire (Stage 1-3) and whether agricultural open burning is currently allowed — a county can be restricted on one and not the other.
- Stage 3, the most severe recreational-fire restriction, bans wood and charcoal fires entirely — only propane, natural gas, or electric stoves are allowed.
- New Jersey's Pinelands and other forested counties see restrictions escalate fastest; densely developed counties may show 'not currently reported' simply because NJFFS activity there is minimal.
- Restrictions can change the same day conditions do — NJFFS's dashboard updates in near real time, unlike a fixed weekly or seasonal schedule.
Penalties in New Jersey
Under N.J.S.A. 13:9-44.10, violating the Forest Fire Act or a burning restriction carries a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per offense (an additional $500 for each day a continuing violation persists), or a civil administrative penalty of the same amount. If a person knowingly violates the Act and thereby causes a wildfire, the offense becomes a fourth-degree crime punishable by a fine of up to $100,000.
Classification: Civil penalty or fourth-degree crime · Maximum fine: up to $5,000 per violation (plus $500/day if continuing); up to $100,000 if a violation knowingly causes a wildfire
Common questions about New Jersey burn bans
Is there a burn ban in New Jersey right now?
No county-level burn ban is currently reported by NJ Department of Environmental Protection — Forest Fire Service for New Jersey. Municipal rules within a county may still apply.
How does New Jersey issue a burn ban?
Under the General Forest Fire Act (N.J.S.A. 13:9-44 et seq.), an outdoor fire within or near a forest needs a permit from the NJ Forest Fire Service (NJFFS). NJFFS tracks two separate restriction levels per county: a recreational/campfire restriction (No restriction, or Stage 1 through Stage 3, escalating from banning ground fires to banning all wood and charcoal fires) and a separate agricultural open-burning restriction. Either restriction can be active independently of the other, and both can change without advance notice as fire-weather conditions shift.
How long does a burn ban last in New Jersey?
Bans are issued by county officials and typically stay in effect until conditions improve or the order expires. Some counties set explicit expiration dates; others leave a ban open-ended until lifted. Check each county's page for the expiration listed on the current order.
What are the penalties for violating a burn ban in New Jersey?
Under N.J.S.A. 13:9-44.10, violating the Forest Fire Act or a burning restriction carries a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per offense (an additional $500 for each day a continuing violation persists), or a civil administrative penalty of the same amount. If a person knowingly violates the Act and thereby causes a wildfire, the offense becomes a fourth-degree crime punishable by a fine of up to $100,000.
burnbanradar reports the counties-level orders as published by NJ Department of Environmental Protection — Forest Fire Service. Municipal ordinances may impose stricter rules. When NJ Department of Environmental Protection — Forest Fire Service does not list a county, that does not mean no ban exists — verify with the county office. The published order governs.