MOUNT VERNON – As the fall weather rolls in, Knox County residents who want to use outdoor fires have a lot of considerations to take into account, including where they live.
But even well outside the city limits, there are many restrictions on what can be burned and how.
Some forms of burning are completely prohibited, including burning garbage, which is described as “any wastes created in the process of handling, preparing, cooking or consuming food,” Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) regulations state. Grease, rubber and petroleum-based items— such as anything containing plastics in any quantity, even plastic-coated wire— are also prohibited.
While it is possible to get permission to burn animal carcasses for the purpose of controlling disease, under other circumstances it is also prohibited, the OEPA regulations said.
For recreational fires, the Mount Vernon Fire Department offers a handy flow chart on their website to help city and county residents understand what qualifies.
The chart states that no matter the location, recreational fires must make use of clean, dry, seasoned wood. And as with all fires, someone must always be present and have a good water source readily available that can extinguish the entire fire, regardless of the recreational fire's size or location. The chart recommends items such as hoses, fire extinguishers and water barrels for this purpose.
The biggest difference between recreational fires within and outside of the city limits is size, the flow chart shows. Within the city limits, all fires must be contained in an approved container, such as an outdoor fireplace, fire ring, barbeque pit or similar device. In the greater county area, a fire cannot exceed three feet in width or two feet in height. After that, it becomes classified as an open burn.
All open burns are prohibited in Ohio from March through April in the spring and during October and November in the fall, due to the high frequency of wildfires at those times of year, information from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources states.
Even when open burning is allowed, there are still significant restrictions.
While the burning of tree trimmings and even old fence posts is permitted, the line is drawn at simply demolishing a building and setting it on fire, the OEPA warns. Residents must also make certain that such burns take place a minimum of 1,000 feet from any neighbor’s inhabited building, and they must notify the OEPA if the pile exceeds 20 feet in width or 10 feet in height.
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