HALLSVILLE, Ohio — The Colerain Township Volunteer Fire Department is reminding residents that Ohio’s statewide fall open burning restrictions are back in effect, barring most outdoor fires between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. through the end of November.
“It is that time of year again,” the department said in a Facebook post, warning residents against open burning during the restricted hours.
The restrictions stem from Ohio Revised Code 1503.18, which prohibits open burning in unincorporated areas of the state during the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in March, April and May, and again in October and November, under rules enforced by the Ohio Division of Forestry. Burning yard waste, trash and debris — even in an approved burn barrel — is barred during those hours, and some materials, including food waste, dead animals and anything containing rubber, grease, asphalt or other petroleum products, may never be burned in the open. Burning outside the restricted hours may still be subject to local rules.
State forestry officials say the fall restrictions are meant to cut down on wildfires sparked by dry, fallen leaves and dead grass, which combined with warm, windy autumn weather can allow a small fire to spread quickly.
Colerain Township Volunteer Fire Department is an all-volunteer department based in Hallsville that covers Colerain Township in the northeastern corner of Ross County, responding to fire, medical and rescue calls for the township’s roughly 2,000 residents.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Colerain Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
