Can I Have a Fire During a Burn Ban?

How to Know Whether Wood, Propane, or No Fire Is Allowed Where You Camp

QUICK ANSWER: During a burn ban, wood and charcoal fires are often restricted first. Propane fire pits may still be allowed if the agency managing the land permits gas- or liquid-fueled devices with an on/off valve. To know for sure, identify who administers the land where you plan to camp, then read that agency’s current fire restriction order.

Now here's the full story.

Let’s say you’re going camping this weekend. You’ve got a spot on the map, half the vehicle packed, and you’re wondering:

"Can I have a fire?"

So you google “burn bans” for the area.

A county page pops up. And a national forest page. Plus a BLM page, a state park page, a municipal page, and maybe even something from an HOA.

One page says “Stage I Burn Ban.” Another says “Stage II Fire Restriction.” Another says “Red Flag Warning” in effect.  Another says “Fire Danger Very High.” One says “No campfires allowed.” Another says “propane stoves and lanterns” are allowed. Another says “liquid-fueled fire pits with an on/off valve” are allowed.

With all the mixed messages, you think, Maybe it's just easier to go see what the signs say when you get there.

But on the way, you pass signs with rules just as varied.

It feels like you need a law degree just to sit around a flame.

But relax. You don’t.

You just need one piece of information:

Find out which agency administers the exact piece of land where you’re going

Multiple agencies can enact and enforce fire restrictions.

Your job is to figure out which one you’re dealing with.

If you’re heading to:

• A state park, focus your search on the state park’s website
• U.S. Forest Service Land, figure out which district, and see what they have to say
• BLM Land, figure out which district, and see what they have to say
• County-administered land or private land in unincorporated county territory, check the county’s website
• A city or town, check the municipality and HOA

Once you know who manages the land, you can find the rules.

 

Which Burn Ban Rule Applies Where You Camp?

Sometimes County, State Park, and U.S. Forest Service Rules Disagree

Let’s use an example.

Say you want to camp near Mueller State Park in Colorado, close to Pike’s Peak.

You check the map and see three different jurisdictions that could be in play:

• Mueller State Park
• Teller County
• Pike-San Isabel National Forest

At first glance, it looks like a mess. The State Park is inside of Teller County. And much of Teller County is on U.S. Forest Service Land.

What should you do?

Find out who administers the exact land where you’re headed.

If you’re aiming to camp inside Mueller State Park, google, “Mueller State Park Burn Ban.”

At the time of this writing, the State Park’s camping page says “Campfires and gas fire pits are PROHIBITED.”

That gives you a clear answer inside Mueller: No wood campfire. No gas fire pit.

Now you could accept that and camp inside the park without a fire. Or, you could check what’s happening one mile east, in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest.

So you google: “Pike National Forest burn ban”

At the time of this writing, the Pike-San Isabel is under a Stage I Fire Restriction. Their site says propane fire pits are allowed as long as they’re “solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off.”

This is the familiar language you’ll see on U.S. Forest Service and BLM sites across the country. And for HOWL owners, it means you don’t have to shiver.

HOWLs use propane and have an on/off valve, so they fit the description to a T.

But let’s say your friend invites you out to camp on her private ranch just a mile to the north. That’s not on National Forest. And it’s not in the State Park.

Her land sits in unincorporated Teller County. So you google, “Teller County Burn Ban.”

At the time of this writing, Teller County has a Stage II burn ban in place. In many Stage II restrictions, propane devices with an on/off valve are allowed. But here’s an example of why you need to read the full rules, not just the headline.

It turns out, Teller County’s resolution NO. 03-19-2026 ( 11 ) is a bit vague. It says:

“This Resolution does not restrict use of gas, liquid or propane barbeques, gas stoves or lanterns…”

So it could be that propane fire pits are allowed.

But it also says that the resolution “defines open burning broadly, including campfires, warming fires, charcoal fires, etc…”

So, are you allowed to use a propane fire pit? If they consider propane fire pits to be campfires or warming fires, then no. But if they consider propane fire pits to be gas stoves, then yes.

Ultimately, the rule is unclear. So what should you do?

Find out for certain. The best way is to call the county and ask for clarification. If you can’t get a clear answer, don’t guess. Skip the fire or choose a place where the rule is clear.

It’s not always this complicated. But when it is, now you know what to do.

If you know which agency administers the land, you can find the rules with a quick google search.

You just have to figure out who has jurisdiction.

That’s the whole method.

So What Are Burn Bans, Actually? And Who  Makes Them?

Burn bans are exactly what they sound like: temporary legal restrictions on outdoor fires when wildfire risk gets high.

They exist because most wildfires aren’t started by lightning. They’re started by us.

A major study found that 84% of U.S. wildfires are human-caused. When the land is dry, a single unattended campfire, errant spark, cigarette, hot exhaust pipe, welding arc, or gust of wind can turn into a wildfire that threatens forests, homes, towns, firefighters, and everyone who loves that place.

The National Interagency Fire Center wildfire prevention guidance says human-caused wildfires make up about 85 percent of wildfire occurrences each year. The National Park Service wildfire causes page points to unattended campfires, debris burning, equipment use, discarded cigarettes, and arson as common causes.

So land managers watch the conditions carefully, and then make the call.

That call might ban wood and charcoal fires. It might restrict fireworks, shooting, welding, chainsaws, smoking, or debris burning. And when conditions get severe enough, it might ban all open flames, including propane fire pits.

Making the call to enact a fire restriction

Land management agency leaders are the ones who decide if and when to enact a burn ban.

• Federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and BLM have local offices, which determine burn ban rules based on the conditions on the ground.
• National Park superintendents make the rules for each park.
• State park managers set rules for their parks.
• County commissioners often adopt resolutions that regulate open burning on private land, county land, and unincorporated areas.
• City councils can set fire rules inside city limits.

Different public agencies are responsible for different chunks of ground. And they each have the legal authority to enact and enforce burn bans on the lands they oversee.

When do they put burn bans in place?

When fire risk stacks up. Land managers and fire officials are constantly watching for things like:

• dry grass, brush, timber, and deadfall
• drought
• low humidity
• high winds
• heat
• red flag warnings
• recent fire starts
• active fires nearby
• whether firefighters and engines are already stretched thin
• how many people are expected to be out camping, shooting, driving, burning, cooking, or recreating

A burn ban is a direct response to conditions.

When the land is wet, agencies are much more lenient.

When the land dries out, they often restrict wood and charcoal but still allow propane fires.

When the risk gets worse, even propane fires are out.

And when the risk gets extreme, they can close areas off entirely.

What Stage 1 and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Usually Mean

In much of the western U.S., Stage I and Stage II fire restrictions are common. Stage III is usually considered a closure stage.

These are helpful labels, and they tend to have consistent definitions across federal agencies regarding campfires:

Stage I

• It is prohibited to build, maintain, attend, or use a wood or charcoal fire, except within a developed recreation site with agency-installed grills or fire rings.
• You may use fire devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels, provided they have an on/off valve.

Stage II

Stage II is stricter on wood fires.

• It is prohibited to build, maintain, attend, or use a wood or charcoal fire even within agency-installed grills and fire rings.
• You may use fire devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels, provided they have an on/off valve.

But pay close attention: the definitions of stages can vary widely at county and local levels, so don’t just go by the stage number.

Always read the actual order from the agency that manages the land.

Why Propane Fire Pits Are Often Treated Differently Than Wood Fires

Wood fires are more dangerous for forests. They make embers. They throw sparks. They leave coals that can stay hot for hours. They can continue smoldering in ashes, roots, duff, pine needles, or grass long after you think they’re out.

Wind can fan coals back into flames and blow them into flammable areas.

For all these reasons, wood fires are usually the first to get banned.

Propane fires are different. They burn gas, which can be turned off instantly and completely.

There are no embers or sparks, no buried coals. Just a lot fewer ways to accidentally start a wildfire.

That’s why so many burn bans allow gas-fueled and liquid-fueled devices, even when wood and charcoal are prohibited. A propane fire pit with an on/off valve is built for exactly that kind of rule.

But still, propane is not automatically allowed everywhere. And propane fire pits are not always seen as the same thing as cook stoves. We explain that distinction in our guide to cooking on a propane fire pit.

So always ask:

Does the agency that manages the land I’m on currently allow propane fire pits?

Are Propane Fire Pits Allowed During Burn Bans in Canada?

In Canada, it works the same way in principle. Find out who administers the land, then check that agency’s current fire rules.

• If you are in a Parks Canada campground, check Parks Canada.
• If you are in a provincial park, check that province’s park agency.
• If you are on Crown land, check the province or territory.
• If you are inside a town, municipality, or regional district, check the local fire authority.

Canadian rules about propane fire pits differ in one major way: certification.

In the U.S., many fire restrictions focus on whether a propane device has an on/off valve. In those places, your uncle Jerry could weld up a turkey fryer in his garage, take it out to a bone-dry forest, and still be within the letter of the law.

Canada’s rules are more careful. They require propane devices to be tested and certified for safety by one of two internationally recognized third-party scientific laboratories – ULC or CSA.

British Columbia says Stage I and Stage II bans allow CSA-rated or ULC-rated portable propane fire pits.

And Parks Canada fire bans typically allow propane fire pits with the same CSA or ULC certifications.

Notably, HOWL Campfires are ULC certified for safety.

 

The Pre-Camp Fire Ban Check

Here is your practical checklist:

Screenshot this before you camp.

1. Where exactly am I camping?
2. Who administers that land?
3. What does that agency’s current fire rule say?
4. Does it allow propane fire pits?
5. If it’s unclear, who do I call?

1. Where exactly am I camping?

• Not “near Mueller State Park.”
• Not “just west of Yellowstone.”
• Not “out on Crown land somewhere.”
• Get specific. Use old school paper maps, or digital tools like OnX.

2. Who administers that land?

This is the big one. Are you on:

• a state park?
• U.S. Forest Service?
• BLM land?
• a national park?
• county land?
• city or town land?
• private land?
• provincial park land?
• Crown land?

Once you know that, you know where to look.

3. What is that agency’s current fire rule?

Search for the actual administering agency.

Use searches like:

• “[State park name] burn bans”
• “[National Forest name] fire restrictions”
• “[BLM field office] fire restrictions”
• “[County name] fire ban”
• “[City name] burn restrictions”
• “[Province] fire ban map”
• “[Provincial park name] fire ban”

Then, look for official sites.

In the U.S., that often means:

• fs.usda.gov
• blm.gov
• nps.gov
• state park websites
• county websites
• sheriff’s office websites
• emergency management websites
• fire department websites

In Canada, that often means:

• provincial government websites
• territorial government websites
• Parks Canada
• provincial park websites
• municipal fire authority websites

4. What kind of fire does the rule allow?

Look for the exact language.

For wood fires:

• campfire
• wood fire
• charcoal
• open burning
• open fire
• warming fire
• designated fire ring
• developed campground

For propane devices:

• propane
• gas
• gas-fueled
• liquid-fueled
• pressurized gas
• shut-off valve
• on/off valve
• CSA
• ULC
• UL Certified

The phrase you are often looking for is something like:

“a device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off.”

Or:

“portable propane fire pits certified by CSA or ULC.”

That kind of language will tell you explicitly when a propane fire pit is allowed.

5. If the rule is unclear, call the land manager.

When land managers don’t write the rules clearly, that’s frustrating.

But it’s still your responsibility to keep the forest and the fire alive.

So call and ask:

“I’m planning to camp at [specific place] on [date]. Are propane fire pits with an on/off valve currently allowed there?”

In Canada, ask:

“Are ULC-certified propane fire pits currently allowed there?”

If they say no, don’t use it.

If they say yes, ask if there are any further restrictions on propane fires, like clearance, location, flame height, developed site, or time of day.

This is the best way to play it safe.

Do Not Rely on Apps Alone

Mapping apps like OnX are useful. They can help you figure out where you are and who administers that land.

But they’re not the final authority on whether you can have a fire tonight.

Fire restrictions change fast. Map layers can be outdated. Social media comments can be wrong. A sign at a trailhead may not reflect a new order just yet.

So:

• Use maps to answer, Where am I?
• Use the land manager’s website to answer, What’s legal here now?

Who Enforces Burn Bans?

Enforcing officers will depend on which agency manages the land you're on.

It may be:

• a Forest Service law enforcement officer
• a BLM ranger
• a National Park Service ranger
• a state park ranger
• a county sheriff’s deputy
• a city police officer
• a fire marshal
• a fire warden
• a conservation officer
• a campground host reporting to one of those agencies

That’s another reason to start with land administration.

The agency that manages the land is usually the agency that enforces the rule.

If you want to keep yourself out of hot water, they’re the agency to call.

The Bottom Line

Burn bans get confusing when you start with county lines, warning signs, and scattered search results.

They get simpler when you start with the land.

1. Find the exact place you’re camping.
2. Find out who administers it.
3. Read that agency’s current fire rule.

That’s how you know whether the answer is wood, propane, or no fire at all.

HOWL was built for this new fire reality: a propane fire pit with an instant shutoff, no embers, and no sparks. 

It doesn’t replace common sense or local rules.

But it gives responsible people like you a better way to keep carrying the fire.

 

FAQ: Propane Fire Pits and Burn Bans

Can I use a propane fire pit during a burn ban?

Sometimes. Many agencies allow gas- or liquid-fueled devices with an on/off valve during certain fire restrictions, but not always. The only way to know for sure is to identify who administers the land where you plan to camp, then read that agency’s current fire restriction order.

Are propane fire pits allowed during Stage 1 fire restrictions?

Often, yes. On U.S. Forest Service and BLM land, Stage 1 restrictions often allow liquid- or gas-fueled devices that can be turned on and off. But the written order is what matters, so always check the current rule for the exact land where you’ll be camping.

Are propane fire pits allowed during Stage 2 fire restrictions?

Often, but not always. Many Stage 2 restrictions ban wood and charcoal fires while still allowing propane devices with an on/off valve. Some stricter rules ban all open flame, including propane fire pits. Read the actual order before you go.

Are wood fires allowed during a burn ban?

Usually not. During lighter restrictions, wood fires may still be allowed in developed campgrounds or agency-installed fire rings. During stricter restrictions, wood and charcoal fires are usually prohibited altogether.

Who makes burn ban rules?

The agency that administers the land usually sets the fire rule for that land. That may be the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service, a state park agency, county, city, province, local fire authority, or private campground.

How do I know who manages the land where I’m camping?

Use maps, land ownership layers, campground pages, or agency websites to identify whether you are on National Forest System land, BLM land, a state park, national park, county land, private land, municipal land, provincial park land, Crown land, or Parks Canada land. Once you know who administers the land, you know whose fire rule to check.

Are propane fire pits allowed in Canada during fire bans?

Sometimes. Canadian fire-ban rules often require propane fire pits to be CSA or ULC certified. HOWL Campfires are ULC certified, which matters in places that require ULC certification. But certification does not override the local rule. Always check the current fire ban for the land you’re on.

What should I ask if I call the land manager?

Ask a specific question: “I’m planning to camp at [specific place] on [date]. Are propane fire pits with an on/off valve currently allowed there?” In Canada, ask: “Are ULC-certified propane fire pits currently allowed there?”