“Ohio Expands Burn Ban to Additional Counties Due to Drought Conditions”
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) announced an expansion of the statewide open burning ban on Friday due to ongoing extreme drought conditions.
Initially implemented on September 6, the ban has now been extended to include several additional counties. It covers areas classified as experiencing “Extreme Drought” or “Exceptional Drought” by the United States Drought Monitoring System. As of September 27, the following counties are now affected: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Green, Guernsey, Hamilton, 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.
State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon emphasized the seriousness of the situation in a press release, stating, “While the rain we’ve had is certainly nice and offers a breath of fresh air, it is far from enough to replace the moisture we need in the soil in the affected burn ban areas.”
Although some regions may receive additional rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, the impact on drought conditions will be assessed in next week’s U.S. Drought Monitoring System map update.
Prohibited Activities Under the Ban Include:
- Open burning of trash, debris, and leaf piles
- Campfires and bonfires
- Discarding lit materials, such as matches or cigarettes
- Fireworks usage or discharge
- Live-fire training events
- Flame effects in displays or exhibitions, including sky lanterns
- Using spark- or heat-producing devices for recreation
Permitted Activities Include:
- Indoor cooking
- Outdoor cooking with electric or propane stoves
- The use of non-flame-based heating or electrical devices
Residents are urged to comply with the ban to help prevent wildfires and ensure public safety during these challenging drought conditions.
In addition to the expanded open burning ban for the listed counties, the ODNR’s Division of Forestry will implement its annual fall burn ban for all of Ohio starting Tuesday, October 1.
