Open Burning

      Canton City Health Department
                            James M. Adams, R.S., M.P.H., Health Commissioner

                          Promoting and Protecting Health Since 1849

420 Market Ave. North
Canton, Ohio 44702
(330) 489-3231
(330) 489-3335 (fax)
Info@cantonhealth.org

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Open Burning

Open burning is unhealthy and illegal and can even lead to fines for private citizens. Open burning produces unhealthy air pollution, which is especially detrimental to children and to anyone with breathing difficulties. The microscopic particles and gases released can aggravate asthma, heart conditions, and allergies. In addition to these adverse health effects, the smoke and smell from open burning are unpleasant and the unattractive burn piles contribute to urban decay and reduce property values.

The Ohio EPA has regulations prohibiting most open burning. In populated areas it is not legal to burn leaves, branches, tree trimmings, and other yard waste. Burning of residential and other types of waste is also prohibited. The Health Department is tasked by the Ohio EPA to enforce these laws not only in Canton, but also within the entire Stark County. Citizen and fire department reports of open burning will be investigated by the Health Department’s Air Pollution Control Division. Most first time offenders will receive a written warning, but Ohio EPA does have the authority to levy fines against private citizens for up to $250 per day for each individual violation. For more information on open burning, click here: http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/general/openburning.html . To view the Ohio EPA open burning regulations, click here: http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dapc/regs/3745-19/3745_19.html.

Some local jurisdictions may have additional restrictions on burning materials or burning at times that are otherwise approvable under Ohio EPA's open burning rules. To find out the open burning rules in your jurisdiction, please visit http://cpmra.muohio.edu/otaohio/Websites.htm or http://www.omlohio.org/OMLMunicipalData/omlmunidata.htm.

EPA Open Burning Forms

Click here for the Ohio EPA Open Burning Request Form to be used for:
1. Land clearing
2. Recognized horticultural, range management or wildlife management practices
3. Fires and/or pyrotechnics as part of film-making or video production
4. Prevention or control of disease or pests
5. Disposal of ignitable or explosive materials
6. Instruction for methods of fire fighting or for research in the control of fire

Click here for the Ohio EPA Recommended Open Burning Notification Form to be used for:
1. Prevention or control of disease or pests, with written or verbal verification to the
    Ohio EPA from the local health department, cooperative extension service, Ohio
    department of agriculture, or U.S. department of agriculture, that open burning is the
    only appropriate disposal method
2. Bonfires or campfires used for ceremonial purposes
3. Disposal of agricultural waste generated on the premises

For questions, or to report an open burning violation, please contact the Air Pollution Division at (330) 489-3385.