New York State's Burn Ban Has Begun PUBLISHED 9:00 PM ET Mar. 16, 2021 PUBLISHED 9:00 PM EDT Mar. 16, 2021 SHARE What You Need To Know Spring weather brings an increased risk of wildfires The ban lasts through May 14 Violators may be fined $500 for a first offense New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur. Campfires using charcoal or untreated wood are allowed, but people should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them.