Fort Wayne, IN Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Fort Wayne, IN, 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
- General open burning
- Prohibited citywide
- Exemptions
- School bonfires, scouting/family campfires
- Permit lead time
- 24 hours advance, Fire Dept
- Minimum distance
- 25 feet from structures/fences
- Recreational fire size cap
- 36-inch diameter, 2-foot height
Summary
Fort Wayne bans trash, leaf, bonfire, and other open burning citywide, with narrow exemptions for permitted recreational campfires and school bonfires.
No person or business shall kindle or maintain any open burning consisting of a trash fire, leaf fire, bonfire, refuse fire, or other open burning. Exemptions. The following types of fire may be allowed: Bonfires celebrating school pep rallies. Recreational camp fires for scouting or family cookout activities.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
City ordinance prohibits kindling or maintaining any open burning consisting of a trash fire, leaf fire, bonfire, refuse fire, or other open burning. Only two exemptions exist: bonfires for school pep rallies and recreational campfires for scouting or family cookouts. Exempt fires must use only wood products, stay 25 feet from any structure, fence, or right-of-way, and be attended at all times with extinguishing equipment on hand. A Fire Department burn permit is required at least 24 hours ahead, except for scouting or family cookout campfires.
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted open burning violates § 94.71; the Fire Department, Police Department, and Department of Neighborhood Code Enforcement enforce it. Fires that damage another person's property can add criminal mischief liability, and the person responsible for combustible material cannot escape liability by blaming vandals, accident, or an act of God.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn leaves or trash in my yard in Fort Wayne?
Do I need a permit for a backyard campfire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
How Fort Wayne compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Fort Wayne to another location·View the Indiana fire regulations overview
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