Burn bans in Wyoming
A Wyoming county's board of commissioners can order a Stage 1 restriction, Stage 2 restriction, or full closure under W.S. 35-9-301 through 35-9-304, on the recommendation of the county fire warden, and must notify the State Forester of the order (and again when it's lifted). What each stage actually restricts is spelled out by the State Board of Land Commissioners' own rule (Chapter 9): Stage 1 confines campfires to a cleared fire ring at a residence or campsite and limits trash burning to overnight hours; Stage 2 prohibits all campfires outright, leaving only pressurized-fuel stoves and grills with a shutoff valve; a full Closure adds restricted road travel and confines smoking to vehicles or buildings.
All counties in Wyoming
| county | Status | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Crook | Burn Ban in Effect | May 26, 2026 |
| Albany | Partial Restrictions | Jul 30, 2026 |
| Campbell | Partial Restrictions | Mar 26, 2026 |
| Carbon | Partial Restrictions | Jul 22, 2026 |
| Converse | Partial Restrictions | Mar 27, 2026 |
| Fremont | Partial Restrictions | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Goshen | Partial Restrictions | Mar 26, 2026 |
| Hot Springs | Partial Restrictions | Jul 8, 2026 |
| Johnson | Partial Restrictions | Jun 19, 2026 |
| Laramie | Partial Restrictions | Jul 22, 2026 |
| Lincoln | Partial Restrictions | Jul 7, 2026 |
| Natrona | Partial Restrictions | Jul 9, 2026 |
| Park | Partial Restrictions | Jul 8, 2026 |
| Platte | Partial Restrictions | Mar 20, 2026 |
| Sheridan | Partial Restrictions | Jul 7, 2026 |
| Sublette | Partial Restrictions | Jul 22, 2026 |
| Sweetwater | Partial Restrictions | Jul 7, 2026 |
| Teton | Partial Restrictions | Jul 22, 2026 |
| Uinta | Partial Restrictions | Jul 1, 2026 |
| Weston | Partial Restrictions | Mar 26, 2026 |
| Big Horn | Unconfirmed | Jun 16, 2021 |
| Niobrara | No Restrictions | Mar 20, 2026 |
| Washakie | No Restrictions | Jun 9, 2026 |
How Wyoming decides
- Wyoming has 23 counties. Restrictions are ordered per county, not statewide, and can be lifted just as locally once the county fire warden confirms conditions no longer warrant them.
- Stage 1 still allows a campfire — just confined to a cleared fire ring at a residence or campsite. Stage 2 removes campfires entirely.
- Much of Wyoming is federal land — BLM and US Forest Service Region 2/4 restrictions apply independently on top of whatever the county has ordered.
- County commissioners must notify the State Forester both when a restriction is ordered and when it's lifted, under the same administrative rule (Chapter 9).
Penalties in Wyoming
Under W.S. 35-9-304, entering or using a closed or restricted area in violation of a county's fire closure order is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $100, imprisonment in county jail for not more than 30 days, or both.
Classification: Misdemeanor · Maximum fine: up to $100, up to 30 days in county jail, or both
Common questions about Wyoming burn bans
Is there a burn ban in Wyoming right now?
Yes — 1 county in Wyoming is currently under a burn ban. The county table above lists each one with its effective date and source.
How does Wyoming issue a burn ban?
A Wyoming county's board of commissioners can order a Stage 1 restriction, Stage 2 restriction, or full closure under W.S. 35-9-301 through 35-9-304, on the recommendation of the county fire warden, and must notify the State Forester of the order (and again when it's lifted). What each stage actually restricts is spelled out by the State Board of Land Commissioners' own rule (Chapter 9): Stage 1 confines campfires to a cleared fire ring at a residence or campsite and limits trash burning to overnight hours; Stage 2 prohibits all campfires outright, leaving only pressurized-fuel stoves and grills with a shutoff valve; a full Closure adds restricted road travel and confines smoking to vehicles or buildings.
How long does a burn ban last in Wyoming?
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 Wyoming?
Under W.S. 35-9-304, entering or using a closed or restricted area in violation of a county's fire closure order is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $100, imprisonment in county jail for not more than 30 days, or both.
burnbanradar reports the counties-level orders as published by Wyoming State Forestry Division. Municipal ordinances may impose stricter rules. When Wyoming State Forestry Division does not list a county, that does not mean no ban exists — verify with the county office. The published order governs.