Delaware’s Annual Open Burn Ban Effective May 1st
April 29, 2026/
Delaware鈥檚 annual open burning ban takes effect Thursday, May 1st and continues through Sept. 30th to help protect air quality during ozone season, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). During the statewide ban, most outdoor burning is not allowed. Cooking fires, recreational campfires and ceremonial bonfires are still permitted year-round when they use firewood, charcoal, propane or natural gas.
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DNREC officials say that during the burn ban and Ozone Season, Delawareans can rely on alternatives to burning, such as:
- Using curbside pick-up or drop-off yard waste sites. More information about disposal of yard waste can be found at the聽de.gov/yardwaste聽webpage.
- Chipping or shredding limbs and branches to convert them into useful mulch.
- Adding yard waste to a compost pile to support a rich backyard garden. For more information, visit the聽de.gov/composting聽webpage.