Fire Safety & Permits

Smokey Bear fire safety sign in North Maine Woods

Fire Permit Required at 67 Campsites

Fire permit campsites have no fire rings, picnic tables, or toilets. A free campfire permit from the Maine Forest Service is required before building any fire at these sites. Permits are obtained by phone only — they cannot be obtained online.

Understanding Campsite Types

North Maine Woods has two types of campsites. Knowing the difference is critical for planning your trip — especially whether you need a fire permit.

	Authorized Site	Fire Permit Site
Fire Ring	Steel ring provided	None
Picnic Table	Cedar table	None
Toilet	Outhouse	None (dig cathole)
Fire Permit	Not required (fire in ring)	Required (free, phone only)
Feel	Semi-developed	Primitive / backcountry

Fire permit sites are popular with fall hunters who prefer more sheltered, remote locations away from the busier authorized campsites.

How to Get a Campfire Permit

Not the Same as a Burn Permit

Campfire permits are not the same as residential burn permits and cannot be obtained online. You must call the Maine Forest Service by phone.

Call the Maine Forest Service regional office the day before your trip. Permits are free but only valid for a short period — they will not be issued more than 2 days in advance. During high fire danger, permits will not be issued at all.

Check fire danger at mainefireweather.org before calling
Call the regional office during business hours (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4 PM)
Rangers on patrol may also issue permits in the field
Permits cannot be obtained on weekends — plan ahead

Maine Forest Service — Campfire Permits

Northern Region (Ashland): (207) 435-7963
Central Region (Old Town): (207) 827-1800
General Information: (800) 750-9777
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4 PM

Campfire Rules in North Maine Woods

These rules come directly from North Maine Woods regulations and Maine state law. Violations carry fines and can result in ejection from NMW lands.

Authorized sites: Build fires ONLY in the provided steel fire ring
Fire permit sites: Use existing fireplaces where available and safe
Fires outside a steel ring always require a written fire permit
Use only dead and downed wood — never cut live trees
Unauthorized cooking or warming fires are illegal

$50 Fine for Unattended Fires

Maine law imposes a $50 fine for leaving any campfire unattended. You are also liable for the cost of fighting any wildfire your fire causes.

Fire Danger Rating System

Maine uses a 5-level fire danger rating that directly affects whether campfire permits are available.

Fire Danger Levels

Low: Permits available
Moderate: Permits available
High: Permits suspended
Very High: Permits suspended
Extreme: All open fires banned

Check current fire danger before your trip:

mainefireweather.org — real-time fire weather conditions
maine.gov/dacf/mfs/wildfire_danger_report — daily danger report by county

High Fire Danger = No Permits

During high fire danger or above, all campfire permits are suspended. Open fires may be banned entirely across the state. Always check conditions before your trip and have a camp stove as backup.

Campfire Safety Best Practices

Clear a 10-foot area around your fire — remove leaves, needles, and debris
Keep fires at least 15 feet from tents, tarps, and vehicles
Always have a water bucket and shovel within arm's reach
Use only local dead and downed wood — never cut standing trees
Keep fires small and manageable — a small fire is easier to control and cook over
Never use gasoline, lighter fluid, or accelerants
Never leave a fire unattended, even briefly

The Drown-Stir-Feel Test

Before leaving your campsite: drown the fire with water, stir the ashes thoroughly, drown again, then feel for heat with the back of your hand. The ashes must be cold to the touch before you leave.

Leave No Trace Fire Practices

Use established fire rings only — don't build new ones
Burn wood completely to white ash
Extinguish with water, not dirt (dirt insulates coals and they can reignite)
Scatter cool ashes over a wide area away from camp
Pack out any partially burned trash — foil, plastic, and food waste don't fully burn
Consider a camp stove as your primary cooking method — it's faster, cleaner, and works regardless of fire restrictions

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