Berks County has instituted a County Wide Ban on burning from Sun April 16 until Mon May 15, 2023.

Burn bans are a tool used to protect life, property, and natural resources from wildfire.

Ninety-eight percent of the wildfires in Pennsylvania are a direct result of people’s actions, and place emergency responders directly in harm’s way.

They also tie up emergency responders and apparatus that serve the community in the event of traffic accidents, house fires, and other emergencies.

Burn Ban Definition

Open burning is defined as the ignition and subsequent burning of any combustible material (garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetative matter involved with land clearing, or any sort of debris) out-of-doors, either in a burn barrel or on the ground.

The use of propane or gas stoves, charcoal briquette grills, or the use of tobacco in any form is not covered under county burn bans.

Camp fires are allowed in the fire rings that confine and contain the camp fire in a designated state, federal, or Department of Environmental Protection licensed campground.

Burn Bans Currently in Place in Pennsylvania

Current Burn Bans:

Berks County: Sunday, April 16, 2023, through Monday, May 15, 2023.

York County: Thursday, April 13, 2023, through Friday, May 12, 2023.

If you plan to burn, be sure to check with your local authorities to confirm burning is permitted.

Local municipalities and county offices may have additional burning restrictions or ban information.

Wildfire Danger Ratings

The danger of wildland fire in different habitats under different weather conditions is rated from low to extreme by the U.S. Forest Service Wildland Fire Assessment System.

The most recent observed conditions and a short term forecast are posted daily by the Wildland Fire Assessment System.