Small recreational cooking and warming fires are allowed in most Dutchess County towns outside the DEC March 16-May 14 burn-ban window. Fires must be under 3 feet across, 2 feet tall, continuously attended, with water or extinguisher on hand. NY 6 NYCRR Part 215 governs statewide; towns like Poughkeepsie and Beacon add local fire-code conditions.
New York's open-burning rules are set by NYS DEC in 6 NYCRR Part 215. Small campfires and recreational fires are allowed year-round only if: under 3 feet in diameter, under 2 feet tall, using clean dry wood or charcoal (no trash, leaves, construction debris), continuously attended by an adult, and fully extinguished before leaving. From March 16 through May 14 each year, a statewide residential brush-burning ban is in effect - recreational fires meeting the size limits are still allowed unless a governor declares an emergency ban. City of Poughkeepsie Fire Code and City of Beacon Fire Code require permits for any fire over 3 feet diameter; Poughkeepsie bans open burning entirely within the city. Rural Dutchess towns (Milan, Clinton, Stanford) allow brush burning on one's own land Oct 15-Mar 15 under DEC rules; farm burning of agricultural wastes is exempt. Charcoal grills, gas grills, and chimineas with enclosed fire boxes are not subject to Part 215.
6 NYCRR 215 violation: $500 minimum first offense, $1,000+ repeat. Reckless burning starting wildfire: Penal Law 150.15 (Arson 4th degree) Class E felony. Municipal fire-code violations: $250-$1,000 per day in Poughkeepsie/Beacon.
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