A Michigan DNR burn permit is a free, same-day authorization from the Department of Natural Resources to burn yard debris when the ground is not covered in snow. You get one through the interactive map at michigan.gov/burnpermit or by calling 866-922-BURN (866-922-2876). Each permit is valid only for the day it’s issued. The system covers the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula; if you live in the southern Lower Peninsula, your local fire department handles permits instead.
When You Need a Permit
Under Part 515 of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, you cannot burn any flammable material on or next to forest land without a DNR permit whenever the ground is bare.1Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 324.51503 – Burning Permits; Conditions Snow cover is the dividing line. If the ground is snow-covered, no permit is needed. Once the snow melts, dry grass and leaf litter carry fire quickly, and you need authorization before lighting anything.
The statute exempts fires for “domestic purposes,” meaning fires in the immediate area around your home that burn material generated on the property.2Michigan Legislature. Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act – Part 515 Prevention and Suppression of Forest Fires Small cooking fires and campfires in a fire ring on your own property generally fall inside this exemption, though local ordinances may still apply. A brush pile or a yard-debris clearing burn is not a domestic-purpose fire and does require a permit.
How to Get a Burn Permit
Go to michigan.gov/burnpermit and check your county on the map. If “yes” appears in the “Burning Permits Issued” column, you’re authorized to burn that day. The online confirmation is your permit. You don’t need to print anything or call anyone.3State of Michigan. Burn Permits: Check Open Burning Status If you’d rather use the phone, call 866-922-BURN (866-922-2876) to check whether burning is allowed where you are.
The map is color-coded by daily conditions:4Michigan Department of Natural Resources. DNR Burn Permits Map
- Green means open burning is permitted and debris fires are allowed with proper precautions.
- Orange means burn permit restrictions are in effect; select your county to see the specific limits.
- Brown means open debris burning is not permitted anywhere in the county.
- Gray means permits are not issued electronically in that county; select it for a phone number to call.
Fire conditions change with the weather, so every permit is good for one day only. A green status on Tuesday tells you nothing about Wednesday. Check the map or call the line each day you plan to burn.
Southern Lower Peninsula: Call Your Local Fire Department
The DNR’s online system covers only the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula. In the southern Lower Peninsula, the DNR does not issue your burn permit at all. You contact your local fire department or local governing body for authorization.3State of Michigan. Burn Permits: Check Open Burning Status Rules and any fees vary by jurisdiction. If you select a southern county on the DNR map, it will direct you to the right local contact.
What You Can and Can’t Burn
Even with a valid permit, you may only burn natural yard debris: fallen leaves, brush, and small branches. Michigan law prohibits burning household waste that contains plastic, rubber, foam, chemically treated wood, textiles, electronics, or hazardous materials.5Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 324.11539 – Open Burning of Yard Waste or Leaves
There’s a separate restriction worth knowing: in any Michigan municipality with a population of 7,500 or more, open burning of yard waste or leaves is prohibited entirely unless specifically authorized by local ordinance.6Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 324.11539 – Open Burning of Yard Waste or Leaves If you live in a larger city or township, check with your local government before assuming a DNR permit clears you to burn yard waste. The local prohibition overrides the state permit.
Safe Burning and Your Liability
The permit is the legal side. The practical side is keeping the fire from escaping. Michigan holds you personally liable for all damages if your fire gets out of control and becomes a forest or grass fire, including the full cost of any government firefighting response.7Michigan Legislature. Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act – Part 515 Prevention and Suppression of Forest Fires – Section 51506 That bill can be large, and it comes on top of any fines or criminal charges.
Keep your burn pile well away from structures; setback distances depend on your local ordinance. Have a water source or fire extinguisher within reach before you light anything, stay with the fire the entire time it’s burning, and don’t burn on windy days. Most escaped fires happen during sudden wind shifts, and by the time you notice, the fire is already spreading.
Penalties for Violations
Burning Without a Permit
Burning without a required DNR permit is a misdemeanor under Part 515.8Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 324.51512 If your unpermitted fire escapes and triggers a government firefighting response, the state certifies its suppression expenses in writing and bills you. You have 60 days to pay. If you don’t, the DNR can sue you in circuit court for the full amount within two years of the fire.9Michigan Legislature. Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act – Part 515 Prevention and Suppression of Forest Fires – Section 51509
Burning Prohibited Materials
Burning household waste with prohibited materials is a civil infraction when it’s waste from your own household. Penalties escalate within a rolling three-year window:5Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws 324.11539 – Open Burning of Yard Waste or Leaves
- First offense: a warning from the judge or magistrate.
- Second offense: civil fine of up to $75.
- Third offense: civil fine of up to $150.
- Fourth or subsequent offense: civil fine of up to $300.
Those household-level fines are modest. Don’t confuse them with the penalties under Michigan’s air quality rules. A person who knowingly violates Part 55’s open burning prohibitions faces a misdemeanor with fines up to $10,000 per day for each violation.10Michigan Legislature. Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act – Part 55 Air Resources Protection – Section 5531 That higher penalty targets knowing and deliberate violations, but prosecutors can reach for it when the circumstances warrant.