MEDIA RELEASE__The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry urges Ohioans to take precautions and follow the state’s outdoor burning regulations if they plan to burn debris. Ohio law dictates that outdoor burning is prohibited in unincorporated areas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during October and November. ODNR encourages anyone burning to take protective actions and be safe, even outside of the restricted hours.
 
“It doesn’t take much for a debris fire to escape and become a wildfire, especially when conditions are dry,” said ODNR Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser. “Following Ohio’s burning regulations and taking a few basic safety precautions can help protect your property, your neighbors, and Ohio’s forests.”

Burning is restricted in the fall due to the abundance of dry grass, weeds, and leaves on the ground. Gusty winds and low humidity can make a seemingly safe fire burn more intensely and escape control. If a fire escapes control, contact the local fire department immediately. An escaped wildfire, even one burning in grass or weeds, is dangerous.
 
Residents can take measures to prevent accidental wildfires, including avoiding burning trash and debris, keeping grass trimmed, not discarding cigarettes and other smoking materials outside, postponing fireworks, and avoiding open cooking fires or campfires. Additionally, farmers should regularly check their equipment for any irregularities that can lead to a brush or crop field fire.

If you are going to burn outdoors, the ODNR Division of Forestry offers these safety tips for burning debris:

• Know current and future weather conditions
• Have tools and water on hand
• Never leave a debris burn unattended
• Be informed about state and local burning regulations
• Consult the local fire department for additional information and safety considerations
• Visit the Ohio Division of Forestry’s website and Firewise.org for more information and tips on protecting your home and community
• Consider safe alternatives for debris disposal, such as composting
• If you choose to burn during unrestricted hours, use a 55-gallon drum with a weighted screen lid to provide an enclosed incinerator
• Remember: “Only you can prevent wildfires!”

Residents should also check the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s open burn regulations prior to any outdoor fire and consult with local fire officials about burning conditions in the area. Food waste, dead animals, and materials containing rubber, grease, asphalt, or petroleum should never be burned. Violators of Ohio’s burning regulations are subject to citations and fines.