WHAT IS OPEN BURNING?
Open burning is the burning of any material products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. For this purpose, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed, when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues, or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open.
• Bonfire: A bonfire is an outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes.
• Recreational Fire: An outdoor open fire burning materials other than rubbish, with a fuel area less than 3 feet diameter and 2 feet in height for the purpose of pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or
similar purpose.
• Portable Outdoor Fireplace: An outdoor solid fueled burning fireplace; may be open in design or may
have a small hearth opening and a short chimney.

RESTRICTED/UNRESTRICTED AREAS
Ohio’s Open Burning regulations distinguish between restricted and unrestricted areas.
A restricted area is the entire area within the boundaries of a municipal corporation as well as within a:
– 1,000-foot boundary around cities with a population of 1,000 to 10,000.
– One-mile boundary around cities with a population of over 10,000.
An unrestricted area is any area outside of the boundaries of a restricted area.

OPEN BURNING IN A RESTRICTED AREA
Open burning, with the exception of recreational and occupational fires, is prohibited in a restricted area.

OPEN BURNING IN AN UNRESTRICTED AREA
A. Allowed Open Burning- Permit Not Required
1. Recreational Fires
2. Heating tar, welding, acetylene torches, highway safety flares, smudge pots, heat for workers
and similar occupational needs.
B. Allowed Open Burning- Requires Fire Department Permit
1. Bonfires- Only dry seasoned firewood ignited with small amount of paper is allowed. The permit
application shall include documentation of the event on the sponsoring organization’s
letterhead.

PLEASE NOTE: Fire allowed in restricted areas and by A1, A2, & B above shall not be used for waste disposal purposes and shall be of the minimum size sufficient for their intended purpose. The fuel shall be chosen to minimize the generation and emission of air contaminants.

2. Disposal of residential waste, or agricultural waste generated on premises if following conditions
are observed.
a. The fire is set when atmospheric conditions will readily dissipate contaminates; and
b. The fire does not create a visibility hazard on roadways, railroad tracks, or air fields;
and
c. The fire is located at a point on the premises most remote from residential or
populous areas and at least 1,000 feet from any inhabited building not on said
premises (EPA requirement); and
d. The wastes are stacked and dried to provide the best practical condition for efficient
burning; and
e. No materials are burned which contain rubber, grease, asphalt or liquid petroleum
products.
C. Allowed Open Burning- Requires Prior Notification of the Ohio EPA & Fire Department Permit
1. Prevention or control of disease or pests. The necessity of burning for control must be verified to
the EPA by the local health department, cooperative extension agency, Ohio Department of
Agriculture or U.S. Department of Agriculture.
D. Allowed Open Burning- Requires Written Permission from Ohio EPA & Fire Department Permit
1. Recognized silvicultural, horticultural, range, and wildlife management practices to maintain or
increase the quantity or quality of production.
2. Disposal of ignitable or explosive materials with no practical alternative method of disposal.
3. Instruction in methods of fire fighting or for research in the control of fire.
4. IN emergency or other extraordinary circumstances as determined necessary by the EPA.
5. Disposal of land clearing wastes other than residential or agricultural wastes if the following
conditions are observed:
a. The fire is set when atmospheric conditions will readily dissipate contaminates; and
b. The fire does not create a visibility hazard on roadways, railroad tracks, or airfields;
and
c. The fire is located at a point on the premises most remote from residential or
populous areas and at least 1,000 feet from any inhabited building not on said
premises (EPA requirement); and
d. An air curtain destructor or other device or method determined by the EPA to be at
least as effective is used to curtail release of air contaminants

LOCATION FOR OPEN BURNING
The location for any open burning shall not be less than 50 feet from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure. (O.F.C. 307.4)
Exceptions:
1. Fires in approved containers shall be not less than 15 feet from any structure.
2. The minimum distance from a structure shall be 25 feet from a pile size is 3 feet or less in diameter
and 2 feet or less in height. (Recreational fire)
3. These distances apply only where greater separation distances are not specifically listed and or
required by EPA regulations.

ATTENDANCE & FIRE CONTROL
Any open burning shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. At least one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating, two extinguishers with a 2-A rating each, or other approved on-site fire extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sane, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.

PROHIBITED OPEN BURNING
Open burning that is or will be offensive or objectionable due to smoke or odor emissions or when atmospheric conditions or other circumstances make such fires hazardous are also not permitted. No open burning shall be conducted in an area where an air alert, warning or emergency is in effect., Materials that may not be burned anywhere in Ohio at any time are materials containing rubber, grease, and asphalt or made from petroleum, such as tires, cares, auto parts, plastics, or plastic-coated wire; garbage (any wastes created in the process of handling, preparing, cooking, or consumption of food); and dead animals. Except for fires in a plowed field, garden or highway that are greater than 200 feet from woodland, brushland, or field containing dry grass or other inflammable material, open burning is prohibited between the hours of 6:00 AM- 6:00 PM during the months of March, April, May , October and November of each year. (ORC 1503.18)

PERMITS
Where Fire Department permits, approval or notification is required, please contact the Monclova Township Fire Prevention Bureau, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, at the Township/Fire Administration Building, 4395 Albon Road or (419)865-9423 ext. 2017.
Permits may be submitted in person at the Township/Fire Administration Building or electronically
fireprevention@monclovatwp.org.
Where a permit to Open Burn is required from the Ohio E.P.A., please call the Toledo Environmental Services Division at (419)936-3015 to determine if your project is likely to qualify for a permit and to obtain an application form.