Ohio Expands Burn Ban to Additional Counties Amid Ongoing Drought
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has expanded the statewide open burning ban as of September 27, due to ongoing extreme drought conditions affecting several counties.
Initially established on September 6, the ban now encompasses additional areas classified as experiencing “Extreme Drought” or “Exceptional Drought” by the United States Drought Monitoring System. The affected counties now include 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 highlighted the seriousness of the situation, stating, “The rain we’ve had is certainly nice and is a breath of fresh air in some regards, but it’s in no way close to replacing the amount of moisture we need to have in our soil in the affected burn ban areas. It’s just not enough.”
While some areas may receive additional rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, the overall impact on drought conditions will be assessed in the upcoming U.S. Drought Monitoring System map update.
The ban prohibits the following activities:
- 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
However, certain activities are permitted, including indoor cooking, outdoor cooking with electric or propane stoves, and the use of non-flame-based heating or electrical devices.
Residents are strongly urged to comply with the ban to prevent wildfires and ensure public safety amid these challenging drought conditions. Additionally, the annual fall burn ban, implemented by the ODNR’s Division of Forestry, will take effect for all of Ohio starting on October 1.
