Dry air, fire risk and widespread drought have led to burn bans in the Philadelphia region. The purpose of these bans is to prevent wildfires and wildfires, which are caused almost entirely by humans. Smokey Bear has its slogan for a reason.
Nearly our entire viewing area is under a burn ban, although the definitions of what is and is not allowed may vary in your area.
Please pay attention to the regulations in your region, as violations may result in civil and/or criminal penalties.
Burn bans in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on Tuesday, Nov. 5, banned all fires in state parks and forests until further notice.
Other counties have passed burn bans in recent weeks, including most recently Northampton County.
Under a burning ban, waste, leaves, grass, twigs, rubbish, paper or other waste may not be burned outdoors, either in a fire barrel, in a fire ring or on the ground.
The ban does not apply to propane gas stoves, charcoal grills and tobacco. A campfire can be built in a fire ring that encloses and contains the fire.
Here is a complete list of the counties with burn bans in Pennsylvania:
- Bedford County – Monday, November 4, 2024 through Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
- Berks County – Saturday, November 2, 2024 through Monday, December 2, 2024.
- Bucks County – Sunday, October 27, 2024 through Monday, November 25, 2024.
- Chester County – Sunday, October 27, 2024 through Monday, November 25, 2024.
- Crawford County – Tuesday, November 5, 2024 through Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
- Delaware County – Thursday, November 7, 2024, for 30 days unless extended
- Erie County – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 through Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
- Fayette County – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 through Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
- Fulton County – Thursday, November 7, 2024 through Friday, December 6, 2024.
- Juniata County – Thursday, November 7, 2024 through Friday, December 6, 2024.
- Lawrence County – Saturday, November 9, 2024 through Sunday, December 8, 2024.
- Lebanon County – Sunday, October 27, 2024 through Monday, November 25, 2024.
- Northampton County – Sunday, November 10, 2024, for 30 days or at the discretion of the County Council
- Northumberland County – Saturday, November 2, 2024 to Monday, December 2, 2024.
- Susquehanna County – Sunday, November 10, 2024 through Monday, December 9, 2024.
- Venango County – Monday, November 4, 2024 through Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
- Warren County – Tuesday, November 5, 2024 through Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
- Wyoming County – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 through Thursday, December 5, 2024.
- York County – Friday, November 1, 2024 through Saturday, November 30, 2024.
“If you plan to burn, please contact local authorities to confirm that burning is permitted,” DCNR says. “Local municipalities and county offices may have additional fire restrictions or prohibit information.”
Burn bans in New Jersey
You can track New Jersey restrictions on the New Jersey Forest Fire Service website.
All three regions of the state – North, South and Central – are under ‘extreme’ fire danger on Saturday, the highest possible classification. There are several huge forest fires raging in the state.
The NJFFS said a Phase 3 campfire restriction is in effect. This means that all fires in wooded areas are prohibited unless they occur in an elevated, propane, gas or electric stove. No charcoal fires are allowed.
Burn bans in Delaware
The Delaware State Fire Marshal issued a burn ban for all outdoor fires on October 15. This is what is prohibited under the ban:
- Bonfires
- Controlled burning, including leaves and garden waste
- Agricultural burns
- Burning to clear land
- Burning for demolition and hazard removal
- Garbage fires outside
You can only light a campfire if it is in an area that is free of flammable material and surrounded by a ring of non-flammable material measuring at least 4 feet by 3 feet. Only use the campfire for cooking.
Grills and hibachis are permitted in areas that are free of surrounding flammable material.
Common causes of forest fires
Wildfires can be started by carelessly discarded matches, cigarette butts and campfire ash. Other causes may include machinery, such as a lawn mower or leaf blower, that malfunctions and causes a spark.
A car backfiring or scraping the ground can also provide the spark.
How to protect your home from wildfires
If you are close to the wilderness-urban interface above all, you need to take steps to protect your home. The PA DCNR recommends these steps:
- Keep a perimeter of 1.5 meters around your home free of flammable materials.
- Create breaks in the landscape between 5 and 30 feet from your home.
A much more detailed guide is available on the National Fire Protection Association website.
