Despite tonight’s forecast of potentially up to seven inches of snow, make no mistake, better weather is here. This weekend, area residents will “spring forward,” turning their clocks ahead an hour during the wee hours of Sunday morning.
While you may be losing an hour of sleep this weekend, you will be gaining better temperatures and lengthier amounts of daylight.
What that also means is residents both outside and within city limits are gearing up for cool nights sitting by the fire. ‘Tis the season for bonfires, open burning, trash fires, burn barrels, and even controlled brush fires.
Not all are advised, and further still, not all are illegal depending on where you live.
This begins a critical three-month stretch in preventing outdoor fires, controlled or otherwise, from getting out of hand. That’s why the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is reminding all Ohioans that there is an open-burning ban in place between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
This ban began March 1 and runs through May 31, picking up again October 1 and ending November 30.
Why just those months you ask?
“The timing on no open burning is because that is when the humidity is lowest (or going to be), fuels are driest, and winds are generally the strongest,” said Stephanie O’Grady with the Ohio DNR. “Solar radiation dries the fuels and also creates stronger wind currents.”
This is Ohio though. It’s not California or Arizona, where wildfires are a dangerous yearly issue.
Surely wildfires aren’t as big of a problem.
“Believe it or not, we’ve already had wildfires in Ohio this year,” O’Grady admitted. “While it may be a wet time of year in terms of precipitation, the fuels in spring are receptive to burning because there are leaves and dead vegetation on the ground.
“During the summer, humidity is higher, fuels are green and unable to carry fire (unless in a severe drought), but spring and fall bring low humidity and gusty winds, which lead to higher fire danger.”
In short, low humidity means potential fuels–like dried leaves, twigs, sticks, wood, and dead vegetation—are in prime condition for burning. Should something spark even the slightest fire, the windier conditions, coupled with other fuel nearby, can easily lead to a rapidly spreading wildfire.
Various Causes
O’Grady noted that this time of year, people will burn debris accumulated over the winter before the yardwork of spring and summer begin. But one gust of wind on a dry day can spread the fire very quickly.
The United States Forest Service provides a Wildland Fire Assessment System, which is updated regularly with fire hazard ratings throughout the country. It can be found here.
She noted that generally, “wildfires are caused by careless debris burning.”A person will light a pile of debris, walk away from it for a brief moment, and while they are gone, the wind will pick up and carry embers outside of the designated burn area.
This will ignite brush and vegetation and poof—wildfire. But it’s not just careless citizens failing to properly monitor a burn.
“Equipment-related malfunctions are also a leading cause of wildfires,” O’Grady said. “Most people don’t think about it, but most roadside fires are caused by vehicle exhaust, trailer chains dragging, or some other type of ignition from vehicles and equipment.
“Trees falling and causing power lines to fall are also a concern during high winds.”
Rules and Regulations
Ohio Revised Code 1503.18 deals with the particulars surrounding the rules in regard to outdoor burning.
The ban is in place from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., but afterward, open burning laws established both by the state of Ohio and your particular local municipality must be observed.
Different cities and villages can have additional regulations on top of ORC. Some towns don’t allow open burning at all within city or village limits. It’s best to check with your town’s government code.
“Incorporated villages and cities often have their own ordinances, which likely specify no open burning allowed at all. ORC applies statewide,” O’Grady said. “It is always a good idea to check with your local governments or fire departments, who may have local burn rules established.
“The Ohio EPA has authority regarding open burning under Ohio Administrative Code.”
