Burning Ban Season For Ohio

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

(Columbus) – October 1st through November 30th, the burn ban for Ohio goes into effect. 

Here is additional information  we have obtained with several phone calls to help get a little more details about the ban and hopefully provide some answers to our community.  

First is that the Ohio Burn Ban is the law (Ohio Revised Code 1503.18). It has been a statewide law since 1988. This isn’t anything new or created by a local fire department.  We have an easier way with social media accounts to remind you of the information along with local news media. 

Second, the ban is in effect five months of the year. March, April, May, October, and November between 6 am and 6 pm. Open burning is particularly dangerous in the spring and fall when the leaves are on the ground, the grass is not green, and the weather is warm, dry, and windy. The time of day restriction is because it is the warmest and relative humidity creates the most risk for fire. Science supports the reason for the restrictions. 

Third, the law is not intended to prevent responsible campfires during this time. Ohio EPA defines an open burn as any outdoor fire without a chimney or stack. However, ODNR explains they are not trying to stop cooking campfires that are being maintained responsibly.  Anyone who has a campfire that escapes is still in violation of ORC 1503.18. So, stay with your campfire and extinguish it before leaving it. 

Even outside the time and date restrictions, any person conducting a burn must obtain landowner permission, remain with the fire while it is burning, and take all reasonable precautions to prevent the fire from escaping. 

NEVER to be burned at any time or any place in Ohio: 

Food waste

Dead animals

Materials containing rubber, grease, asphalt, or made from petroleum 

Other Restrictions: 
Fires must be more than 1000 feet from the neighbor’s inhabited building. 

No burning when air pollution alert, warning, or emergency is in effect. 
Fire/smoke cannot obscure visibility on roadways, railways, or airfields. 

No waste generated off the premises may be burned. 

No burning within village or city limits or restricted areas. 

We look forward to warmer weather and the extended daylight coming with Spring! But most importantly, we want everyone to be safe! 

You can see more at ODNR’s 

For more details on Ohio’s Fall burning regulations, CLICK HERE: