Ohio issues open burning ban in 24 counties because of drought conditions

COLUMBUS – Ohio Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon issued a regional ban on open burning in 24 counties effective Friday because of extremely dry conditions.

The ban covers Ohio counties identified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture as being in the “Extreme Drought” or “Exceptional Drought” categories .

The ban covers Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Fairfield, Fayette, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton and Washington. Additional counties may be added, the state said.

“Fire safety is a responsibility we all share,” Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said in a prepared statement. “It’s critical that Ohioans understand and appreciate the significant risks associated with fires, especially during the current drought conditions. Together we can protect our communities and environment.”

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The open burning ban includes:

• Lighting or maintaining a fire of any type at any location
• Smoking, including cigarettes or similar devices, and as part of a cooking process
• Non-electric cooking (regardless of fuel source)
• Using or discharging any type of fireworks
• Throwing down/discarding lighted or smoldering material, including matches or cigarettes
• Campfires and bonfires
• Live fire training events
• Flame effects-based displays or exhibitions, including sky lanterns and cold spark machines
• Using spark causing devices for recreational purposes

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The Division of State Fire Marshal , Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry and the Wayne National Forest urged all Ohioans to take special precautions due to the dry weather, whether they are in a county impacted by the Ban on Open Burning or not.

“All Ohioans, particularly homeowners, farmers, and woodland owners, should be cautious during this dry period,” Division of Forestry Fire Prevention Manager Aaron Kloss said in a prepared statement. “Most of the plant materials in Ohio that can fuel wildfires are currently dry and will stay this way until we have significant rainfall. Current dry weather patterns with warm temperatures, low humidities, and wind are increasing the risk of wildland fires in Ohio.”

Anyone who sees any signs of wildfire is asked to call their local fire department immediately to report it.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio issues open burning ban in 24 counties because of drought conditions