Burn Bans

Ohio's fall open-burning restriction is IN EFFECT now: it began October 1, 2026 and runs through November 30, 2026. During October and November — and again March through May — Ohio Revised Code 1503.18 prohibits most open burning in unincorporated areas between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Ohio Department of Natural Resources Open Burning Regulations page, re-read October 1, 2026); burning in those hours may be permissible only if the conditions in the statute's exclusionary text are met. Ohio has no statewide burn ban beyond this seasonal rule. Year-round Ohio EPA rules still apply — never burn garbage, rubber or petroleum-based materials, or dead animals; no burning during air-pollution alerts; fires may not obscure visibility for roads, tracks or airfields. Local governments and fire departments may impose stricter rules — check locally before burning.