Baldwin County, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County residents cannot burn yard debris under the annual outdoor burning ban. The restriction covers the entire county. It applies inside city limits and in unincorporated communities. The ban covers leaves, limbs, and brush piles.

Under Alabama Department of Environmental Management rules, the ban runs from May 1 through October 31, 2026. The seasonal restriction ends November 1, but residents must still comply with local ordinances, permit requirements, and any emergency fire restrictions.

The Ban applies to Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley, Fairhope, Daphne, Bay Minette, and elsewhere in unincorporated Baldwin County. Burning debris from land clearing is also prohibited during the seasonal ban.

Baldwin is among 12 Alabama counties subject to the annual restriction. The program aims to protect air quality during the warmer months by limiting smoke and pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone.

The seasonal ban differs from an emergency no-burn order issued due to wildfire danger. Alabama Forestry Commission fire alerts can limit burn permits, while a governor-declared drought emergency can prohibit a broader range of outdoor fires.

According to ADEM guidance, the seasonal debris ban does not prohibit campfires or outdoor fireplaces unless drought or safety restrictions apply. Residents should check with their local fire department before starting a recreational fire because municipal rules may impose additional restrictions.

Some agricultural and forestry burns may qualify for exceptions. These burns require prior approval from ADEM and the Alabama Forestry Commission. A property owner should not assume that a debris pile qualifies simply because it is on rural land.

ADEM lists alternatives to burning, including transporting vegetation to a permitted landfill or allowing it to decompose naturally. Vegetation moved to another location cannot be burned there as a disposal shortcut.

The end of the seasonal ban does not automatically permit residents to burn. Local requirements remain in effect. For example, Daphne directs residents to contact its Bureau of Fire Prevention for burn permits after the restriction ends.

Residents with questions about the state’s open-burning rules can contact ADEM’s Air Division at 334-271-7879 or 334-271-7897. Local fire departments can explain the rules that apply to individual properties.

Residents of Foley who need additional information about the burn ban or burn permit applications should contact the Foley Fire Department at 251-943-1266.