PREBLE COUNTY — On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Preble County Fire Chiefs’ Association issued a total ban on open burning for the entire county, in response to the extremely dry conditions.
There is to be no open burning at any time in Preble County, under this total ban.
Although the Ohio Fire Marshal’s regional burn ban had not yet included Preble County, Ohio Revised Code gives local fire code officials “authority to do so from issuing a local ban on open burning, recreational fires, or the use of portable outdoor fireplaces at any time when conditions warrant, including during times when the state fire marshal has issued a ban as long as the local ban does not contradict the ban issued by the state fire marshal.”
“Preble County is currently experiencing a drought, and the risk of fire is great. No open burning will be permitted in Preble County until further notice,” the association noted in press release which was signed by all fire departments in the county: Camden-Somers Township Fire & EMS; City of Eaton Fire & EMS; College Corner Fire Department; Eldorado Fire Department; Gasper Township Fire & EMS; Lewisburg Fire & EMS; Northwest Fire & Ambulance District; Shawnee Fire District; Verona Fire Department; West Alexandria Fire & EMS and West Manchester Fire Department.
In various areas of the state, Ohio Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon on Sept. 6, ordered a regional Ban on Open Burning effective immediately. It was expanded to include other counties on Friday, Sept. 13.
Examples of outdoor activities prohibited by the order in the ban area include the following: lighting or maintaining an fire of any type at any location, smoking (including cigarettes or similar devices, and as part of a cooking process), non-electric cooking (regardless of fuel source), using or discharging any type of fireworks, throwing down/discarding lighted or smoldering material (including matches or cigarettes), campfires, bonfires, live fire training events, flame effect(s) based displays or exhibitions (including sky lanterns and cold spark machines), and using spark causing devices for recreational purposes.
“Fire safety is a responsibility we all share,” said Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon in issuing the ban in regions across Ohio. “It’s critical that Ohioans understand and appreciate the significant risks associated with fires, especially during the current drought conditions. Together we can protect our communities and environment.”
The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of State Fire Marshal, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry, and the Wayne National Forest urge all Ohioans to take special precautions due to the dry weather, whether they are in a county impacted by the Ban on Open Burning or not.
“All Ohioans, particularly homeowners, farmers, and woodland owners, should be cautious during this dry period,” said ODNR Division of Forestry Fire Prevention Manager Aaron Kloss. “Most of the plant materials in Ohio that can fuel wildfires are currently dry and will stay this way until we have significant rainfall. Current dry weather patterns with warm temperatures, low humidities, and wind are increasing the risk of wildland fires in Ohio.”
Dry grasses, shrubs, dead leaves, and fallen pine needles are all examples of plant materials that can fuel wildfires. Even if rain is in the forecast, it will require an extended period of soaking rains to reduce the elevated threat of wildfires throughout the state. Spring and fall are the typical wildfire seasons in Ohio; however, the current weather situation and resulting wildfire fuel situation is not typical. Warm, dry windy days in the fall, combined with abundant dead leaves falling and herbaceous plants entering dormancy and drying out, typically create situations conducive to wildfire igniting and spreading.
“Familiar things like vehicle exhaust pipes or an unattended campfire could quickly ignite dry fuels,” said Wayne National Forest Supervisor Lee Stewart.
Residents can take measures to prevent accidental wildfires including, avoiding burning trash and debris, keeping grass trimmed, not discarding cigarettes and other smoking materials outside, and avoiding open cooking fires or campfires.
Additionally, farmers should regularly check their equipment for any irregularities that can lead to a brush or crop field fire.
Anyone who sees any signs of wildfire should call their local fire department immediately to report it. Accurate and timely reporting of wildfire responses by Ohio fire departments is important for a rapid response to any incident.
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and folow on X @emowenjr.
