Orange County, NY Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

Description of Fire Danger Ratings. Red Flag A short-term, temporary warning, indicating the presence of a dangerous combination of temperature, wind, relative humidity, fuel or drought conditions which can contribute to new fires or rapid spread of existing fires. A Red Flag Warning can be issued at any Fire Danger level. Extreme (Red) Fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious. Development into high intensity burning will usually be faster and occur from smaller fires than in the very high fire danger class. Direct attack is rarely possible and may be dangerous except immediately after ignition. Fires that develop headway in heavy slash or in conifer stands may be unmanageable while the extreme burning condition lasts. Under these conditions the only effective and safe control action is on the flanks until the weather changes or the fuel supply lessens. Very High (Orange) Fires start easily from all causes and, immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in light fuels may quickly develop high intensity characteristics such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds when they burn into heavier fuels. High (Yellow) All fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes. Unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. High-intensity burning may develop on slopes or in concentrations of fine fuels. Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small. Moderate (Blue) Fires can start from most accidental causes but, with the exception of lightning fires in some areas, the number of starts is generally low. Hudson Valley FDRA: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Northern and Eastern Greene, Eastern Montgomery, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schenectady, Northeast Schoharie, Southern Sullivan, Northeastern and Southern Ulster, Westchester.