LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: open burning

  • Ban on Open Burning now includes part of Loveland

    Ban on Open Burning now includes part of Loveland

    Loveland, Ohio – As parts of the state continue to see extremely dry conditions, a Ban on Open Burning first ordered on Sept. 6, 2024, by Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon has been extended and expanded to include Warren and additional counties.

    The ban impacts any county in Ohio identified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as being in the “Extreme Drought” or “Exceptional Drought” categories as identified by the United States Drought Monitoring System.

    As of Sept. 20, the Ban on Open Burning includes the following counties: Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Green, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Madison, Meigs, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Tuscarawas, Union, Vinton, Warren, and Washington.

    Under the order, if any part of a county is identified by NOAA and the USDA as being in the “Extreme Drought” or “Exceptional Drought” categories, the entire county is included in the burn ban.

    “I encourage all Ohioans to make sure they closely follow restrictions in this burn ban,” said Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “As we continue to experience these drought conditions, the ban is necessary to protect our communities and our beautiful state. I understand and appreciate the many inconveniences the ban is creating.”

    Examples of activities prohibited by this Order in the ban area include those involving the lighting or maintaining of an open fire such as:

    Prohibited Activities:

    • Any open burning of trash, debris, waste, combustibles, leaf piles or similar vegetation
    • Campfires and bonfires
    • Throwing down or discarding lit or smoldering material, such as matches or cigarettes
    • Using or discharging any type of fireworks
    • Live-fire training events
    • Flame effect(s) based displays or exhibitions, including sky lanterns and cold spark machines
    • Using spark- or heat-producing devices for recreational purposes

    Acceptable open flame-related activities include indoor cooking, outdoor cooking with electric stoves/cooking elements or propane/liquid fueled cooking as permitted in this Order, and use of non-flame based heating or electrical devices.

  • Outdoor open burning statewide in unincorporated areas during the months of March and April

    Outdoor open burning statewide in unincorporated areas during the months of March and April

    This law prohibits outdoor open burning statewide in unincorporated areas during the months of March, April, and May between the hours of 6 AM and 6 PM.

    This ban includes the burning of yard waste, trash, and debris, even in a proper burn barrel.

    During spring, wildfire danger is high before plants have
    turned green.

    Warm, windy weather also contributes to elevated fire risk. Always be sure to use a proper burn barrel when burning outdoors during legal hours.

  • Before You Light It… Know Ohio’s Open Burning Regulations

    Before You Light It… Know Ohio’s Open Burning Regulations

    Why is open burning a problem?

    Open burning can release many kinds of toxic fumes. Leaves and plant materials send aloft millions of spores when they catch fire, causing many people with allergies to have difficulty breathing.

    The pollutants released by open burning also make it more difficult to meet health-based air quality standards, especially in or near large cities. The gases released by open burning can also corrode metal siding and damage paint on buildings.

    Health Concerns

    Burning household waste produces many toxic chemicals and is one of the largest known sources of dioxin in the nation. Other air pollutants from open burning include particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, lead and mercury. These pollutants have been linked to several health problems, including asthma, respiratory illnesses, nervous system damage, kidney and liver damage, and reproductive or developmental disorders.

    Open burning is any time you light an outdoor fire without a chimney or stack. When burning refuse in burn barrels or open piles, the potential cost to your health, your home, your neighbors and your environment far exceeds the price of adequate collection services. Protect yourself, your neighbors and your wallet by knowing the rules—what you can burn and where.

    Open burning also adds co2 to the atmosphere and contributes to global climate change.

    Learn more in this Ohio EPA fact sheet…

    Loveland’s Fall Brush Pickup Program