Fort Smith, AR Fire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard Fires (2026)
Fire pit rules in Fort Smith, AR, also called outdoor burning, recreational fire, or open flame ordinances, cover fuel types, clearances, and when burning is allowed.
Key Facts
- Recreational bonfires
- Prohibited citywide
- Permitted uses
- Land clearing, wildlife mgmt, training, ceremonies
- Cooking devices
- Exempt if approved for cooking
- Issuing authority
- City fire official
Summary
Fort Smith bans bonfires, rubbish fires, and yard-debris burning citywide; only fire-official permits for land clearing, wildlife management, training, or ceremonies allow open burning, and only cooking on approved outdoor cooking appliances is exempt.
No person shall kindle or maintain any bonfire or rubbish fire, burning of leaves or any other residential debris, construction debris or demolition debris within the city limits. Burning permits may be issued by the fire official of the city for the following purposes: Cleaning of large tracts of land for subdivisions or roadways, controlled fires for the purpose of forest and wildlife management, firefighting training purposes, other educational or ceremonial purposes. ... Nothing in this section should be interpreted as restricting outdoor cooking on approved appliances or devices designed for cooking purposes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 10-3 flatly prohibits kindling or maintaining a bonfire, rubbish fire, or burning of leaves, residential debris, construction debris, or demolition debris anywhere within Fort Smith city limits -- there is no by-right recreational fire pit or backyard bonfire allowance. The fire official may issue a burning permit, but only for clearing large tracts for subdivisions or roadways, controlled forest/wildlife-management burns, firefighting training, or other educational or ceremonial purposes, not casual backyard fires. The only standing exemption is outdoor cooking on an approved appliance or device designed for cooking, which the section expressly protects.
Violations & Fines
Prohibited burning is enforced under the fire prevention code penalty at § 10-38/§ 1-9: a misdemeanor, with each ten days a violation continues counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a fire pit in my Fort Smith backyard?
What purposes qualify for a burning permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Smith
How Fort Smith compares: Cities with the Strictest Fire Pit Rules·Compare Fort Smith to another location·View the Arkansas fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.