Burning Regulations & Permits

All outdoor burning is discouraged because of air quality concerns and the forest fire hazard. Consider environmentally sound alternatives such as recycling, composting, or brush piles for wildlife habitat. Visit this environmental protection page for more information on why open burning can be harmful to the environment. Note: The burning of recyclable paper or cardboard, painted or treated wood, petroleum- or oil-based products, wet rubbish, asphalt, and plastic is prohibited.

Is a Burning Permit Required?

In many parts of the state, free burning permits are required by the DNR and also local officials to conduct outdoor burning.

• On the DNR Fire Protection Map (PDF 269KB), find the location where you wish to burn outdoors and note the rules below for that area.
• If you decide to burn in an intensive area: Permits are required when burning anytime the ground is not snow covered.
• If you decide to burn in an extensive area: Permits are required anytime the ground is not snow covered during the months of January, February, March, April, and May.
• If you decide to burn in a cooperative area or inside the limits of incorporated villages or cities: These areas are primarily protected by local and county officials. They can and do create ordinances, as well as permit requirements. Contact your local fire department or local officials to obtain burning regulation information.
• Always check the permit for date and time restrictions. For a listing of local DNR Forestry contacts to contact about burning permits, click on your area of the fire danger map. (Note that some counties are split between different DNR fire "dispatch groups", so click in the area of the county for which you need information.

Cooking, warming or campfires do not require a burning permit and are allowed anytime, except during emergency forest fire regulations. This exemption for permits applies to fires solely set and used for this purpose. Remember, bonfires and trash fires are not campfires!

If You Choose to Burn...

With proper permits, individuals may burn small amounts of dry leaves, plant clippings, and brush as long as weather conditions do not pose a fire hazard (where not prohibited by local ordinance). When burning outdoors, be sure to take the following precautions against wildfire:

• Don't burn on windy days
• Have fire-fighting tools, such as water and shovel handy
• Never leave your fire unattended
• Be certain your fire is dead out before you leave
• Remember that you are responsible for all suppression costs incurred from a wildfire caused by your negligence!

Individuals may also burn small amounts of dry combustible rubbish that includes paper, cardboard and clean untreated-unpainted wood as long as weather conditions do not pose a fire hazard (where not prohibited by local ordinance).

The Department of Natural Resources strongly discourages the use of burn barrels. Burn barrels emit dioxin, acid vapors, carcinogenic tars, and "heavy metals" such as lead, cadmium and chromium, as well as unhealthy amounts of carbon monoxide. Note: small businesses, commercial enterprises, and industries may not use burn barrels or engage in other kinds of open burning for any waste generated by the businesses.

Materials that may not be burned in a burn barrel or debris pile also may not be burned in a furnace, wood stove or similar home heating system.

Wisconsin law prohibit anyone from burning the following materials:

• Recyclable paper or cardboard
• Wet, combustible rubbish, such as wet cardboard or paper
• Oily substances, such as oily or greasy rags, oil filters, etc.
• Asphalt, such as asphalt shingles or tar paper
• Plastics of any kind, including plastic bottles and plastic bags
• Rubber products, including tires and hoses
• Painted or treated wood

"Wisconsin Forest Fire Laws and Regulations" (Publication #FR224, PDF 265KB) is a printable summary of forest fire regulations and restrictions, burning regulations and permits and other basic fire program information.

Don't Make These Mistakes

The following activities violate state law. They will cost you!

• Burning without a permit: To burn without a written permit or outside the written restrictions on a permit.
• Failure to extinguish: To set a fire or assist in setting a fire, including a back fire, on any lands in this state and fail to totally extinguish the fire before leaving it.
• Allowing fire to escape: To set a fire or assist in setting a fire, including a back fire, on your land or land under your control and to allow the fire to become a forest fire.
• Arson fires: To intentionally set fire to the land of another or to a marsh. Arson is a felony.
• Destroy property: To destroy, deface, or molest any poster or warning notice, forest fire sign, forest protection equipment, or property.
• Negligent handling of burning material: To handle burning material in a highly negligent manner that creates an unreasonable risk, high probability of death or bodily harm for another person, or serious damage to another's property.
• Fireworks: To possess or use restricted fireworks without a permit from the town chairman or village president. These permits are only issued to groups or organizations and restrict fireworks use to a certain time and place. It is unlawful to sell restricted fireworks to someone who does not possess a valid permit. Restricted fireworks are defined as those that move, jump, explode or emit balls of fire and include such types as bottle rockets, firecrackers, jumping jacks, and roman candles. Restricted fireworks are much more likely to cause a forest fire or injury because of their erratic and unpredictable behavior.
• Cutting Notice: To cut any type of commercial forest products, except for fuel wood or agricultural land clearing, unless a written notice is made each year to the county clerk indicating when, where, what, and how much cutting is to be done.
• Timber Theft: To cut, direct, or contract for the cutting or removal of forest products on the lands of another without the consent of the owner.
• Refuse to give assistance on forest fires: For any able-bodied citizen to refuse to render assistance on a forest fire.
• Drive game with fire: To set or assist in setting a fire upon marsh or other land in the state to drive out game birds or animals. The possession of firearms upon any marsh while it is on fire shall be prima facie evidence of such violation.

If your open burning project grows into a forest fire, you will be liable for damages:

• Suppression Costs:
  Any person, firm, or corporation who sets fire on any land and allows it to become a forest fire shall be liable for all expenses incurred in the suppression of the fire by the state or town in which the fire occurred.
• Civil Liability for Damages:
  Any person whose property is injured or destroyed by fires may recover, in a civil action, the value of timber, young forest growth, or any other damages suffered, from persons causing such fires.