Any Fire Warden - A Fire Warden is a volunteer commissioned by a DNR Forest Officer to issue open burning permits for a specific geographic area. This could be a county official, a county sheriff, local Fire Marshall or even your neighbor. Since 1999 the DNR has instituted statewide burning permit restrictions each spring. During this period of traditionally high fire danger, burning permits are not issued. Dates of the restrictions are posted on this web site each spring.
Recreational campfires are still permissible under restricted conditions.
When this occurs, not only existing permits are canceled and new permits not issued, but burning in approved burners, recreational fires, and even smoking outdoors may be prohibited, depending on the fire danger. Much more frequently the DNR uses restrictions or the non-issuance, or revocation of burning permits to control open burning when local fire danger is high. A burning ban is used only in the most severe conditions and is more restrictive. Report any suspected unauthorized fires by dialing 911. An early report of a fire enables a quicker response time and helps to keep fires small.