The Arkansas burn ban map is a free, interactive tool hosted by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division that shows current fire danger and active burn bans across all 75 counties in real time.1Arkansas.gov. State Burn Ban Map County judges have the legal authority to declare bans, and burning during one is a Class A misdemeanor carrying fines up to $2,500, plus potential civil liability for suppression costs and double damages if your fire escapes.
Where to Find the Map and What the Colors Mean
The map is available directly through the Forestry Division and through the Arkansas.gov services portal.2Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Burn Bans, Wildfire Danger and Prescribed Burns Every county carries a color-coded overlay showing current wildfire danger and ban status. The map uses five tiers:
- Low: minimal fire risk; outdoor burning is generally permitted where no local ban exists.
- Moderate: some wildfire potential; caution is warranted.
- High: fires are likely to ignite and may be difficult to control in heavy fuels or wind.
- Extreme: fires start easily and spread rapidly, and even a small ignition can turn dangerous fast.
- Burn Ban: the county judge has formally declared a ban, and outdoor burning is illegal in that county.
The map updates as county judges issue or lift proclamations, so your county’s status can change day to day. If you regularly burn brush or yard debris, bookmark the page and check it before you light anything.
Who Declares a Burn Ban and How Long It Lasts
Burn bans come from county judges acting under Arkansas’s emergency management statute. The law lets the chief executive of a political subdivision declare a local disaster emergency, and in a county that’s the county judge.3Justia. Arkansas Code 12-75-108 – Local Disaster Emergencies – Declaration The unlawful burning statute specifically references burn bans “declared under ยง 12-75-108,” confirming this is the legal mechanism counties use.4Justia. Arkansas Code 5-38-310 – Unlawful Burning
A local disaster emergency declaration cannot exceed 120 days unless the quorum court votes to extend it.3Justia. Arkansas Code 12-75-108 – Local Disaster Emergencies – Declaration In practice, most bans last far less. A judge can lift the order as soon as rainfall or cooler conditions reduce the danger, and the map updates when that happens.
What Burning Is Illegal During a Ban
When a county’s status shows “Burn Ban,” setting fire to any forest, brush, or flammable material outdoors is illegal.4Justia. Arkansas Code 5-38-310 – Unlawful Burning The rule sweeps in most outdoor burning people do:
- Yard waste like leaves, brush piles, and fallen limbs
- Debris from land clearing
- Recreational fires, including fire pits and campfires
- Crop residue, with a limited exception below
The definition is broad on purpose. If it’s an open flame outdoors and you started it, a burn ban almost certainly prohibits it.
Exceptions and Permits
Arkansas law recognizes two specific defenses for people charged with burning during a ban. First, if you obtained a permit from the chief executive of the political subdivision that issued the ban (typically the county judge’s office), you have a valid defense. These permits are not handed out freely during dangerous conditions, but they exist for situations where burning is genuinely necessary.4Justia. Arkansas Code 5-38-310 – Unlawful Burning
Second, farmers burning crop remainders on their own land after harvest may have a defense, but only if they perform adequate disking of field perimeters or other safety measures required by the county burn ban officer. Skip the safety buffer and the defense disappears.4Justia. Arkansas Code 5-38-310 – Unlawful Burning
Contained gas grills and charcoal cookers used for cooking are generally not treated as “outdoor burning” under most county proclamations, since the flame is enclosed. County orders can vary in their wording, so check your county’s specific proclamation if you’re unsure.
Federal Land Follows Different Rules
The state map does not govern the Ozark-St. Francis or Ouachita National Forests. The U.S. Forest Service imposes its own fire restrictions independent of county bans, typically in two stages that limit campfires, smoking, and equipment use. A county burn ban does not automatically trigger federal restrictions, and federal restrictions do not automatically apply on private land. Before heading into a national forest, check the local ranger district’s posted orders in addition to the state map.
Notification Requirements When No Ban Is Active
Even with no burn ban in place, Arkansas law requires you to notify the Arkansas Forestry Commission before burning forest vegetation or land-clearing debris weighing at least one ton.5Justia. Arkansas Code 20-22-302 – Notice to Arkansas Forestry Commission of Intent to Burn Forest Vegetation The notice must state the time and location, and the landowner or someone in charge of the property must be physically present during the burn.
This does not apply to ordinary yard waste like leaves and grass clippings. But if you’re clearing timber or burning any substantial amount of forest vegetation, call the Forestry Commission first. Some cities also require a separate local burn permit, so check with your municipal or county fire marshal.
Criminal Penalties for Burning During a Ban
Burning in violation of an active county burn ban is unlawful burning under Arkansas law, a Class A misdemeanor.4Justia. Arkansas Code 5-38-310 – Unlawful Burning That is the most serious misdemeanor level in the state and carries a fine up to $2,500.6Justia. Arkansas Code 5-4-201 – Fines – Limitations on Amount Court costs add to the total, and a conviction goes on your record.
Law enforcement can cite you the moment they find an unauthorized fire during an active ban. The fire doesn’t have to spread or cause damage. The act of burning is the offense.
Civil Liability If Your Fire Escapes
The criminal fine is often the smaller financial hit. Arkansas law declares any uncontrolled fire on forested, brushland, or grassland a public nuisance. If the Forestry Commission or another organized suppression force puts your fire out, you owe all reasonable suppression costs. Don’t pay within 90 days of being invoiced and the state can sue to recover.7Justia. Arkansas Code 20-22-303 – Public Nuisance
Damage to someone else’s property makes it worse. Under Arkansas fire law, a person responsible for a fire that damages another person’s property must pay double the actual damages, recoverable through a civil lawsuit.8Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Arkansas Code – Fire Law If your illegal burn escapes and destroys $10,000 worth of a neighbor’s timber, you owe $20,000, on top of the suppression bill and the criminal fine. That combination is why checking the map before striking a match matters.