County bans · permits · fire danger
Wisconsin Burn Ban Status by County
Burn ban status, the Wisconsin permit rules and campfire limits on wildlife areas, state forests and national forests.
Photo: wackybadger (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Burn bans by Wisconsin county
County status as Wisconsin DNR published it on November 9, 2026. A county can add or lift a ban the same day, so confirm before you burn.
November 9, 2026: 0 counties with a ban, 72 without.
Sources: Wisconsin DNR (dnr.wisconsin.gov; dnrmaps.wi.gov), checked November 9, 2026.
Counties outside DNR burning-permit authority (per DNR daily restrictions on 2026-10-27)
There is no statewide ban. Spring (snowmelt to green-up) is the critical season, with frequent permit suspensions. For example, on May 14, 2026 DNR burning permits were suspended in 31 counties, and on April 23 and May 4, 2026 in 43 counties.
Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Dodge, Door, Dunn, Fond du Lac, Green, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Racine, Rock, Saint Croix, Sheboygan, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Winnebago
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry (apps.dnr.wi.gov), checked November 9, 2026.
Getting a burn permit in Wisconsin
Required when
Within DNR forest fire protection areas, whenever the ground is not completely snow-covered. Rules differ by county and season. On 2026-10-27 the DNR daily restrictions for 13 counties read 'A DNR annual burning permit is not required from June 1st to December 31st except when emergency burning restrictions are in effect'.
Online and by phone
Free annual permit, issued to a person and valid anywhere in Wisconsin that requires one. Get it online instantly at https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/burnpermits/ with an email address, or call 1-888-WIS-BURN (947-2876), 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Burns that need it
Burning of legal materials (brush, leaves, pine needles, grass, clean wood, unrecyclable paper and cardboard) on the ground or in burn barrels, including prescribed or broadcast burns, in DNR protection areas.
Not covered
Fires used only for cooking food or warming the body do not need a DNR burning permit (DNR release 2012). Permits are not required when the ground is completely snow-covered. DNR permits do not apply inside incorporated cities and villages, which set their own rules.
Allowed hours
Set daily per county in the restrictions. Typical text: 'Burning is allowed today with a DNR annual burning permit from 6 pm to midnight for a covered barrel, debris pile less than 6x6x6 feet in size, and grass or wooded area less than 1 acre.' When conditions are worse, hours may be 9 am to midnight or burning may be suspended.
Price
Free.
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry (dnr.wisconsin.gov), checked November 9, 2026.
Warming fires on Wisconsin wildlife areas and forests
DNR-managed lands (NR 45.07): no fire on the ground and no burning refuse except in designated fireplaces or fire rings. Small cooking and warming fires are allowed (a) on sandbars of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, (b) on northern flowage properties and in non-designated use areas of the northern state forests (except the Coulee Experimental State Forest), and (c) at authorized camping areas without fire rings in wildlife areas, the Pine-Popple Wild River, state forests and the Menominee River Natural Resources Area. Fires may not be left unattended or lit contrary to posted notice. DNR may set emergency fire rules on its lands by posted notice. Chequamegon-Nicolet NF: fire danger status was 'Low' on 2026-10-27, and the forest links to WisBurn for state restrictions. Its forest orders include firewood restrictions (Order 09-13-09-02).
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry (regulations.justia.com), checked November 9, 2026.
Breaking a Wisconsin burn ban
Danger ratings
Daily adjective fire danger rating per county (LOW, MODERATE, HIGH, VERY HIGH, EXTREME; WisBurn legend colors). DNR also references Critical fire danger with NWS Red Flag Warnings. It is published on WisBurn and in the burnrestriction JSON/CSV feed (DANGER_RATING_CODE 1 to 5).
Fines
DNR: 'If you fail to obtain a burning permit, do not comply with the daily fire restrictions or allow your fire to escape, you may be cited by law enforcement.' If a fire escapes and starts a wildfire, the burner is liable for all suppression costs and possibly damages. The statutory basis is Wis. Stat. 26.12 (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov is robots-disallowed and was not read).
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry (apps.dnr.wi.gov; dnr.wisconsin.gov), checked November 9, 2026.
More Wisconsin burning rules and contacts
- Debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires in Wisconsin. In 2026 DNR had responded to nearly 500 wildfires by mid-May, 45% caused by debris burning.
- Permit holders must carry the permit while burning and show it to law enforcement or firefighters on request.
- Burning garbage, plastics, shingles, foam, painted/treated wood, rubber and similar materials is not allowed under a DNR permit; clean paper and cardboard must be recycled by law.
| Office | Phone | Web |
|---|---|---|
| WI DNR burn permit & restriction hotline | 1-888-947-2876 (1-888-WIS-BURN) | Open |
| WI DNR dispatch offices / Ranger Stations | Open | |
| DNR Office of Communications | Open |
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry (dnr.wisconsin.gov; dnr.wisconsin.gov; dnr.wisconsin.gov), checked November 9, 2026.
Prescribed fire and camp fires
Questions on Wisconsin burn bans
How are burn bans set in Wisconsin?
0 counties showed a ban when Wisconsin DNR was last read (November 9, 2026). The Wisconsin DNR, through daily county burning restrictions and permit suspensions within its forest fire protection areas (NR 30.05 emergency burning regulations; NR 45.07(3) emergency use and burning rules on DNR lands by posted notice). Towns, cities, villages and counties may adopt stricter local ordinances.
What is the Wisconsin burn permit season?
Within DNR forest fire protection areas, whenever the ground is not completely snow-covered. Rules differ by county and season. On 2026-10-27 the DNR daily restrictions for 13 counties read 'A DNR annual burning permit is not required from June 1st to December 31st except when emergency burning restrictions are in effect'.
How do I get a burn permit in Wisconsin?
Free annual permit, issued to a person and valid anywhere in Wisconsin that requires one. Get it online instantly at https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/burnpermits/ with an email address, or call 1-888-WIS-BURN (947-2876), 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Does a Wisconsin burn ban include campfires?
Fires used only for cooking food or warming the body do not need a DNR burning permit (DNR release 2012). Permits are not required when the ground is completely snow-covered. DNR permits do not apply inside incorporated cities and villages, which set their own rules.
Can hunters build a warming fire on Wisconsin public land?
DNR-managed lands (NR 45.07): no fire on the ground and no burning refuse except in designated fireplaces or fire rings. Small cooking and warming fires are allowed (a) on sandbars of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, (b) on northern flowage properties and in non-designated use areas of the northern state forests (except the Coulee Experimental State Forest), and (c) at authorized camping areas without fire rings in wildlife areas, the Pine-Popple Wild River, state forests and the Menominee River Natural Resources Area. Fires may not be left unattended or lit contrary to posted notice.
What happens if you burn during a ban in Wisconsin?
DNR: 'If you fail to obtain a burning permit, do not comply with the daily fire restrictions or allow your fire to escape, you may be cited by law enforcement.' If a fire escapes and starts a wildfire, the burner is liable for all suppression costs and possibly damages. The statutory basis is Wis. Stat.
Where is the Wisconsin fire danger map?
Daily adjective fire danger rating per county (LOW, MODERATE, HIGH, VERY HIGH, EXTREME; WisBurn legend colors). DNR also references Critical fire danger with NWS Red Flag Warnings. It is published on WisBurn and in the burnrestriction JSON/CSV feed (DANGER_RATING_CODE 1 to 5).
Can I burn at night in Wisconsin?
Set daily per county in the restrictions. Typical text: 'Burning is allowed today with a DNR annual burning permit from 6 pm to midnight for a covered barrel, debris pile less than 6x6x6 feet in size, and grass or wooded area less than 1 acre.' When conditions are worse, hours may be 9 am to midnight or burning may be suspended.
Which Wisconsin counties are in the seasonal burn ban?
Counties outside DNR burning-permit authority (per DNR daily restrictions on 2026-10-27) covers 29 counties: Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Dodge, Door, Dunn, Fond du Lac, Green, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse and others.
Who runs Wisconsin burn permits?
WI DNR burn permit & restriction hotline 1-888-947-2876 (1-888-WIS-BURN); WI DNR dispatch offices / Ranger Stations; DNR Office of Communications.
Check the day you burn
Dry, windy days bring new bans fast. Check with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry or your county that morning.