When the woods are dry, thundershowers bring only limited relief. The fuels dry again quickly and fires can occur even the next day. Wind also dries fuels, and it causes fires to spread. You are in violation of state law if you burn landclearing debris, or set fires for agricultural or forestry operations without first obtaining authorization from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Forestry. Campfires, warning fires and cooking fires do not require notification.
Trash fires are sometimes illegal if pickup service is regularly available.
Local laws often forbid them too. When they are legal, burning in a noncombustible container covered by a metal mesh or grill is required. However, trash fires that create a nuisance because of smoke, soot or heat must be extinguished. Certain materials are always illegal to burn, including tires and other rubber materials, roofing materials, plastic and creosoted lumber. Never light a fire outdoors until you are sure of what is legal.