Deerfield Township residents must stop burning yard debris during daytime hours starting Thursday, Oct. 1.
Ohio law prohibits outdoor burning in unincorporated areas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout October and November. Deerfield Township, as an unincorporated part of Warren County, falls under the statewide restriction. Violators face citations and fines.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry issued the seasonal warning ahead of the Oct. 1 start date, as reported by the Warren County Post. The ban does not apply within incorporated municipalities like the City of Mason, which may have its own local ordinances.
"It doesn't take much for a debris fire to escape and become a wildfire, especially when conditions are dry," ODNR Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser said in the agency's announcement. He urged residents to follow burning regulations and take basic safety precautions to protect their property, neighbors and forests.
Dry grass, fallen leaves and low humidity make fall fires harder to control. Gusty winds can push a small burn beyond its intended area within minutes, according to ODNR.
The restriction lifts each evening at 6 p.m. and resumes the next morning at 6 a.m. ODNR urges caution even during those unrestricted overnight hours.
If you plan to burn
ODNR recommends residents who burn after 6 p.m. take these steps:
- Check weather conditions before lighting any fire.
- Keep water and tools nearby.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Use a 55-gallon drum with a weighted screen lid as an enclosed incinerator.
- Contact Deerfield Township Fire Rescue or your local fire department about current burning conditions.
The agency also encourages composting as an alternative to burning yard waste.
What not to burn
Food waste, dead animals and materials containing rubber, grease, asphalt or petroleum should never be burned, according to ODNR. Residents should also review the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's open burn regulations before lighting any outdoor fire.
Farmers should check equipment regularly for problems that could spark a brush or crop fire, the agency said.
If a fire escapes control, residents should call their local fire department immediately. The two-month restriction runs through Nov. 30.
