Union County, New Jersey
No burn ban is currently in effect in Union county.
What this means
- —
- Standard open burning, subject to local ordinance
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
Recent status history
- Aug 13, 2026 — No Restrictions
Sources & audit log
| Checked | Source | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | NJ Department of Environmental Protection — Forest Fire Service ↗ | status: No Restrictions |
Neighbouring counties
Notify me when this changes
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Gear for burning safely
Open burning is currently permitted in Union county, and the gear below helps keep a legal fire contained: barrels and pits that hold embers in one place, plus something to put a fire out with. Local rules on containment, distance and burn hours still apply — confirm those before you light.
Contained burn barrels
A lidded, spark-arrestor barrel keeps embers where you put them and makes a debris burn easier to control from start to finish.
Marabuut30-Inch Corten Steel Burn Barrel with Mesh LidMesh lid helps contain sparks and embers. Airflow vents, sturdy base, handles for ash removal.View on Amazon 
AURENZOStainless Steel Burn Cage with Removable Ash CatcherSolid steel lid contains flying embers. 360° ventilation slots and a slide-out ash tray.View on Amazon Patio fire pits with spark screens
A screened pit keeps a recreational fire in one place on a patio or lawn, and the screen catches embers before they travel.
Fire extinguishers
Worth keeping within arm's reach of any outdoor fire, whatever today's status says.
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Limits of this information
burnbanradar reads public burn-ban orders as published by NJ Department of Environmental Protection — Forest Fire Service and reports them unchanged. Cities and municipalities within Union 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 Union county under a burn ban right now?
No burn ban is currently reported for Union county. Municipal rules within the county may still restrict burning.
What can I still burn in Union county?
Standard open burning is currently permitted, subject to any municipal ordinance in your area. Never leave a fire unattended, and keep water and a shovel nearby.
How do I report an illegal fire in Union county?
Call 911 for any fire that is out of control or threatens property. For a non-emergency burn-ban violation, you can also reach NJDEP Hotline (1-877-WARN-DEP) at 1-877-927-6337 (for reporting a wildfire or environmental emergency to DEP; call 911 for an immediate emergency), or contact the Union Sheriff's Office.