Burning trash always illegal in the state of Ohio

0

No trash or waste may be burned in Ohio, according to state law. The restriction applies year-round.

In addition food waste, dead animals, materials containing rubber, grease, asphalt, or items made from petroleum can never be burned in Ohio. Those restrictions apply year-round as well.

Chris Wysong, Wayne Township fire chief, said the fire department has received numerous calls from residents who wish to burn trash in Fayette County.

“Earlier this year, the Record-Herald published an article of the Ohio burn law which reminded residents of the burn ban from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during March, April, May, October, and November,” said Wysong in a recent email. The Record-Herald article was published in March.

“After the article was released, we received inquiries, complaints about this law,” said Wysong.

Wysong wanted to remind people that the ban on burning trash is a state law.

“This restriction is not a Wayne Township ordinance or a Fayette County rule; it is an Ohio law,” said Wysong. “Just the same as any other law from our Ohio Revised Code. I do not make the rules and am required to abide just the same as the next person, and when called for a burn complaint we will enforce the law as we are required. Many phone calls were taken earlier this spring from residents asking for permission to burn against this law, which is no different than calling and asking the Sheriff’s permission to drive faster than the posted speed limit. I cannot exempt anyone from this law.”

In addition to the year-round ban on burning trash, certain burn restrictions are in place this month that extend throughout November. Residents in the state of Ohio may not openly burn any material in October and November between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For burns outside of the restricted time, by law people must have permission of the land owner to have the fire, must stay present with the fire, and must take precautions to contain the fire so that it does not get out-of-control. For example, clearing leaves and other dry debris a good distance away from the vicinity of a fire.

Other fire laws include keeping fires more than 1,000 feet from any neighbor’s inhabited building. Fire or the smoke from a fire cannot obscure the visibility on a roadway, railway, or airfield. There is no burning allowed when an air pollution alert, warning or emergency is in effect.

Complaints of open burning violations or trash burning may be reported to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 740-335-6170.

Wayne Twp. fire chief reminds community of Ohio law

By Ashley Bunton

[email protected]

Reach Ashley by calling (740) 313-0355 or connect on Twitter by searching Twitter.com for @ashbunton

No posts to display