Backyard recreational fires permitted with size restrictions and distance requirements; cooking fires generally exempt from burn bans.
Small recreational fires for warmth or cooking are allowed in Saratoga County backyards, subject to the 3-foot diameter limit and 25-foot structure setback under DEC rules. Fires must be attended, use only clean wood, and not create a nuisance. Towns like Saratoga Springs additionally prohibit fires that produce excessive smoke affecting neighbors. Cooking fires in approved appliances (grills, smokers) are exempt from open burning restrictions.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Saratoga County's backyard fires rules stack up against other locations.
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