Fort Smith, AR Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Fort Smith, AR, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- Ban
- Bonfires, rubbish, leaf, debris burning
- Permits
- Fire official issues for specific purposes
- Exempt
- Outdoor cooking on approved appliances
- Penalty
- Fine up to $500 per day
Summary
Fort Smith outlaws bonfires and rubbish fires, including burning leaves, construction debris or demolition debris, anywhere inside city limits, but the fire official may issue permits for land-clearing, wildlife management, training or ceremonial burns.
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.(b)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. Burning permits must be signed by a responsible party and the party must agree to all conditions of the permit before beginning any burning.(c)Nothing in this section should be interpreted as restricting outdoor cooking on approved appliances or devices designed for cooking purposes. (Code 1992, § 10-3; Ord. No. 22-97, §§ 1—3, 5-6-1997)
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 bars anyone from kindling or maintaining a bonfire or rubbish fire, or burning leaves, residential debris, construction debris or demolition debris within Fort Smith city limits. The fire official can issue burning permits for clearing large tracts for subdivisions or roadways, controlled fires for forest and wildlife management, firefighting training, or educational and ceremonial purposes: a responsible party must sign and agree to the permit conditions before any burn starts. Outdoor cooking on approved grills or cooking appliances is explicitly exempt, so backyard grilling and smoking food stays legal without a permit.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 10-3 is enforced through the general Code penalty in § 1-9: a fine up to $500.00, with continuing violations penalized separately for each day they persist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves in my Fort Smith yard?
How do I get a legal burn permit in Fort Smith?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Smith
How Fort Smith compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Fort Smith to another location·View the Arkansas fire regulations overview
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