Washington County, New York
New York's statewide statutory rule applies today: restrictions on residential and open burning are in force. Statewide. Fire Towns prohibit open burning year-round without a permit.
What this means
- Open burning of yard waste, brush and debris
- Household trash burning (year-round statewide)
- Campfires under 3 ft high and 4 ft wide, if attended
- Small cooking fires (grill, camp stove)
Penalties in New York
Illegal open burning can carry a fine of at least $500 for a first offense under NYS Environmental Conservation Law. Escaped fires increase liability substantially.
Classification: Violation of Environmental Conservation Law · Maximum fine: up to $500 (first offense), higher for repeat violations
Sources & audit log
| Checked | Source | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2, 2026 | NYS Department of Environmental Conservation ↗ | status: Partial Restrictions |
Neighbouring counties
Notify me when this changes
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Limits of this information
burnbanradar reads public burn-ban orders as published by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and reports them unchanged. Cities and municipalities within Washington 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 Washington county under a burn ban right now?
Partial restrictions apply. New York's statewide rule limits when and where you can burn today. See the "What this means" module above for the specifics.
What can I still burn in Washington county?
Campfires under 3 ft high and 4 ft wide are allowed year-round if attended. Small cooking fires are allowed. Household trash burning is prohibited year-round statewide.
How do I report an illegal fire in Washington 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 Washington Sheriff's Office or fire marshal.