EPA Open Burning Laws of Ohio
These fires are classified as “open burning” according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Other examples of “open burning” include lighting barbecue grills, campfires, and bon fires. Some occupational-related fires such as heating tar, lighting and using welding and acetylene torches, and burning wood in a drum for heat also fall under this classification. These fires are legal, even within city limits, as long as they are kept to a minimal size and are kept under control at all times. Also, these type of fires are considered to be legal as long as garbage or waste is not burned in them.
Before you consider lighting a fire in the state of Ohio, you should know the laws first. Otherwise, your fire can cost you hefty fines and penalties.
There are municipal laws to consider if you live inside city limits. As far as the federal EPA is concerned, there are restricted areas where open burning, (other than the above-listed exceptions), is illegal. These areas include: inside city or village limits; within one thousand feet from corporation lines if the city or village has a population of between one thousand and ten thousand people; and within a one mile outside any city that has a population of more than ten thousand.
Outside of restricted areas, the EPA’s laws are a bit more lax. However, there are still laws that rural Ohioans must follow. For example, “agricultural wastes” such as the debris from crops; “landscape wastes”, such as tree branches, leaves, stumps, and the like, and “land-clearing wastes”, which are plant debris, may be disposed of by burning. But, the owner of the land must have written permission from the EPA first.
Any materials that contain rubber, asphalt, grease, and petroleum may never be burned in the state of Ohio unless special approval has been attained from the EPA. Garbage and animals carcasses are prohibited from being disposed of by using open burning methods. This is because you need a high-temperature fire to completely burn up most types of food and animal remains.
The biggest reason the Environmental Protection Agency establishes laws about open burning is due to toxic fumes and gases. Also, tree leaves and other foliage typically releases tiny pieces of burnt matter into the air. The fumes, gases, and burnt matter can cause serious problems to people who have allergies.
Once you’re sure that the type of fire you’re going to light is in compliance with the EPA, as well as other state and local laws, you should keep it safe. This means that you should follow some procedures in order to keep the fire under control at all times:
1. Never, ever open burn on days that are windy.
2. The area around the material to be burned should be cleared off in at least a ten foot radius.
3. The fire site should be at least two hundred feet away from forests, brushlands, and fields. It should also be located at least one thousand feet away from buildings and structures.
4. Small fires should be contained in a steel drum or other sturdy container that has a lid.
5. Never leave a fire you are burning outside unattended until it is completely extinguished.
6. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose close by in case you have to put out hot embers.
And finally, if you want a current, hard copy version of the EPA’s complete rules and regulations regarding Ohio’s open burning laws, so you can “learn before you burn”, contact the Ohio EPA by calling 614-644-2270.
