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Ohio Burn Ban in Elizabeth Township: What Residents Need to Know This Season

Each year, Ohio enacts a seasonal burn ban to reduce the risk of wildfires during periods when vegetation is dry and conditions are windy. These are the exact conditions that allow small, controlled fires to quickly turn into fast-moving grass or brush fires.

As your local Fire Department and EMS provider, we want to make sure Elizabeth Township residents understand when burning is prohibited, what materials are never allowed to be burned, and how to burn safely when it is permitted. Following these guidelines protects your property, your neighbors, and the first responders who may be called to your area.

Key Takeaways

  • Ohio’s spring burn ban runs March, April, and May from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.
  • No outdoor open burning is allowed during burn ban hours.
  • Burning trash, food waste, rubber, grease, asphalt, petroleum-based products, and debris is illegal at all times.
  • Fires outside burn ban hours must be attended at all times with extinguishing materials on site.
  • Violations can result in fines and legal consequences.

What Is the Ohio Burn Ban?

The Ohio Burn Ban is a statewide restriction designed to prevent wildfires during seasons when grass, brush, and crop residue ignite easily. Spring and fall bring a combination of:

  • Dry vegetation
  • Low humidity
  • Gusty winds
  • Increased outdoor cleanup and burning

This combination creates a high-risk environment for uncontrolled fires. The burn ban reduces wildfire starts during the most dangerous hours of the day, when winds and temperatures are typically higher.

Burn Ban Dates and Times

Spring Burn Ban:

  • Months: March, April, May
  • Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (daily)

During these hours, no outdoor open burning is allowed in Elizabeth Township or anywhere in Ohio. This includes brush piles, yard waste, and recreational fires that do not meet legal exemptions.

Outside of burn ban hours, open burning may be permitted if it follows Ohio Administrative Code rules and local safety practices.

Materials That Are Always Illegal to Burn

Regardless of burn bans, Ohio law prohibits burning the following at any time:

  • Food waste
  • Trash and household debris
  • Rubber products
  • Grease or oils
  • Asphalt and roofing materials
  • Petroleum-based products

Burning these materials releases toxic smoke and harmful chemicals, creates nuisance odors, and increases health risks for nearby residents and firefighters. These materials must be disposed of through proper waste services, not burned.

Safe Burning Requirements (When Burning Is Permitted)

If you are burning during legal hours outside the burn ban window, you must follow these basic safety rules:

  • Attend the fire at all times
  • Keep fire extinguishing materials on site (water source, extinguisher, shovel)
  • Burn only approved materials (clean, dry woody vegetation and yard waste where allowed)
  • Maintain a clear area around the burn site
  • Fully extinguish the fire before leaving

Unattended fires are one of the leading causes of wildfire spread in rural and semi-rural communities.

Why the Burn Ban Matters

Wildfires in western Ohio spread quickly through dry grass, ditches, field edges, and wooded property lines. A single ember can travel hundreds of feet in windy conditions. Even experienced landowners lose control of fires when weather shifts unexpectedly.

Consequences of illegal burning include:

  • Fire department response to prevent property loss
  • Threats to homes, livestock, crops, and woodlots
  • Roadway smoke hazards
  • Fines and enforcement actions
  • Potential liability for damages caused by escaped fires

Following the burn ban reduces these risks for the entire community.

How You Can Help Prevent Wildfires

  • Postpone outdoor burning during burn ban hours
  • Use alternative disposal methods for brush and yard waste
  • Monitor wind and dryness even outside ban hours
  • Report unattended or spreading fires immediately
  • Educate neighbors and family members on burn restrictions

Wildfire prevention starts with individual choices. Most wildfires are human-caused and fully preventable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I burn brush during the spring burn ban?

No. No outdoor open burning is allowed between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM during March, April, and May.

Can I burn trash or debris at night?

No. Burning trash, food waste, rubber, grease, asphalt, or petroleum-based materials is illegal at all times.

Do I need to stay with my fire?

Yes. Fires must be attended at all times, with extinguishing equipment available on-site.

What happens if I violate the burn ban?

Violations may result in fines, enforcement action, and potential liability if property damage occurs.

Stay Safe, Elizabeth Township

Seasonal burn bans exist to protect our community during the most dangerous fire conditions of the year. By following Ohio’s burn laws, you reduce wildfire risk, protect your neighbors, and help keep local firefighters from responding to preventable emergencies.

For more information on what you can and can’t burn, review last year’s guidance here:

What You Can and Can’t Burn in Elizabeth Township

https://www.elizabethtownshipohio.com/blog-1/what-you-can-and-can-t-burn-in-elizabeth-township-ohio


Questions about burning or fire safety? Contact the Elizabeth Township Fire Department and EMS:

https://www.elizabethtownshipohio.com/EMS


Let’s keep Elizabeth Township safe this burn season.