Burn bans in Rhode Island
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-12-6, nobody may burn flammable material on or adjacent to forest land without a written permit from the DEM director or an authorized representative — in practice, the local fire department or town fire warden, who decides day to day whether conditions allow it. Rhode Island's five counties have no county government of their own, so there is no county commission that could pass a burn-ban resolution the way it works in most other states — permit decisions sit with each of the state's roughly 39 individual town fire departments. The DEM can additionally restrict fires on state-managed land (parks, campgrounds, management areas) when the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning.
All counties in Rhode Island
| county | Status | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | Unconfirmed | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Kent | Unconfirmed | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Newport | Unconfirmed | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Providence | Unconfirmed | Aug 16, 2026 |
| Washington | Unconfirmed | Aug 16, 2026 |
How Rhode Island decides
- Rhode Island's five counties are judicial and geographic divisions only — they have no county government, so unlike most states there is no county commission that can declare a burn ban.
- A burn permit comes from your local town fire department, not the state or county — DEM sets the statewide legal requirement, but towns decide day to day whether to issue one.
- DEM can restrict campfires and cooking fires on state parks, campgrounds, and management areas whenever the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning, regardless of any local permit.
- Rhode Island's Red Flag Warnings mostly cluster in two windows — February 15 to April 30 and October 1 to December 15 — when dry fuels, low humidity, and wind combine most often.
Penalties in Rhode Island
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-12-6, burning flammable material on or near forest land without a DEM permit is punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $100, imprisonment of not less than 10 nor more than 30 days, or both.
Classification: Misdemeanor · Maximum fine: $10 to $100, 10 to 30 days in jail, or both
Common questions about Rhode Island burn bans
Is there a burn ban in Rhode Island right now?
No county-level burn ban is currently reported by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for Rhode Island. Municipal rules within a county may still apply.
How does Rhode Island issue a burn ban?
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-12-6, nobody may burn flammable material on or adjacent to forest land without a written permit from the DEM director or an authorized representative — in practice, the local fire department or town fire warden, who decides day to day whether conditions allow it. Rhode Island's five counties have no county government of their own, so there is no county commission that could pass a burn-ban resolution the way it works in most other states — permit decisions sit with each of the state's roughly 39 individual town fire departments. The DEM can additionally restrict fires on state-managed land (parks, campgrounds, management areas) when the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning.
How long does a burn ban last in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island?
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-12-6, burning flammable material on or near forest land without a DEM permit is punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $100, imprisonment of not less than 10 nor more than 30 days, or both.
burnbanradar reports the counties-level orders as published by Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Municipal ordinances may impose stricter rules. When Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management does not list a county, that does not mean no ban exists — verify with the county office. The published order governs.