Fire & Rescue - Guidelines for Open Burning

The EPA, Ohio Division of Air Pollution and Control, has classified Plain Township as a restricted area. Regulations are also governed by the Ohio Fire Code, Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Open Burning Law 3745-19-03

No person shall cause or allow open burning in a restricted area unless having the criteria listed below.

	Open Burning:	The burning of any materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the air without passing through a stack or chimney.

	Bonfire:	An outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes (i.e.: homecomings, scout programs, religious ceremony, etc.). A bonfire shall not be more than 5'x5'x5' in dimension and shall not burn longer than 3 hours. A legal bonfire requires written notification to the EPA and a permit from the Plain Township Fire Department.

	Recreational/ Campfire:	A fire for the purpose of cooking food for human consumption, pleasure, warmth, recreational or similar purposes, if all conditions below are met. The pile size shall not be more than 3' in diameter, and not more than 2' high.

	Open Burning Prohibited F-307.1.1:	The code official shall prohibit open burning that will be offensive or objectionable due to smoke or odor emissions when local circumstances make such fires hazardous. The code official shall order the extinguishment, by the occupant or the Fire Department, of any open burning which creates, or adds to, a hazardous or objectionable situation.*

	Location F-307.3:	A recreational fire with a pile size of 3' X 2' or less shall not be less than 25' from any structure. All other open burning shall not be less than 50' from any structure.

	Materials 3745-19-03-B(2)a:	Open burning shall not be utilized for waste disposal purposes, and shall be of clean, dry wood only.

	Attendance F-307.4:	Any open burning shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished and at least one portable fire extinguisher or other approved on-site fire extinguishing equipment shall be available for immediate utilization if needed.

	ORC – 1503.18:	No open burning of any kind is permitted between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the months of March, April, May, October and November.

* Hazardous conditions shall include, but not limited to:

When local wind speeds exceed 15 mph as listed on the "local listing" of the weather channel or NOAA website
When the Department of Forestry or other state or local governmental body have declared conditions to be too dry to burn.
When the EPA or other state or local governmental body has declared atmospheric conditions to be inappropriate.


		The Plain Township Fire & Rescue Department investigates open burn complaints and contacts the local EPA authority for enforcement.

		You are advised to call the Fire Department at (330) 492-4089, twenty-four (24) hours in advance of a legal open burn. Contacting the fire department does not grant permission for an illegal fire.

		We will attempt to monitor situations, as needed, to maintain a reasonable number of open burns.

		Excessive fires, with complaints being received by the fire department, shall be classified as a "nuisance" and the applicable laws will be enforced.

		The local EPA authority may be contacted at (330) 489-3385.

		Violations are 3rd degree misdemeanors and may be punishable by a fine.