Burn ban effective until May 31
Residents in unincorporated areas of the county should use caution during the state’s burning ban, which is in effect until May 31.
The ban is in effect each spring from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. between March 1 and May 31.
It is in place due to the abundance of dry grass, weeds and leaves on the ground, according to a news release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
“Gusts of wind and low humidity can cause a seemingly safe fire to burn more intensely and spiral out of control,” the release said. “If a fire gets out of control, contact your local fire department immediately. A wildfire that gets out of control, even if burning in grass or weeds, is dangerous.”
ODNR provided safety tips for burning debris outdoors in the release, saying people should know the weather conditions, have water and tools nearby, never leave burning debris unattended, be informed of burning regulations and consult their local fire department.
ODNR advised people to consider alternative methods of debris disposal, such as composting.
“If you choose to burn for unlimited hours, use a 55-gallon drum with a weighted lid to provide a closed incinerator,” the release states.
State residents are encouraged to visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency website for more tips and guidance on open burning.
“Burned debris piles should be located at least 1,000 feet from a neighbor’s inhabited building,” the release states. “Food waste, dead animals and materials containing rubber, grease, asphalt or oil should never be burned.”
Saybrook Township Fire Chief Dave Whitaker said his department dealt with 37 total brush fires during the spring and fall burn ban periods last year.
“Some were a little more effective than others,” he said.
Whitaker said the Saybrook Fire Department has had to request mutual aid several times, but not too often.
He said most fires were started by unattended wood pits.
Fires can spread extremely quickly under the right circumstances, Whitaker said.
“If [a burn] gets away from you, call us quickly,” he said.
Even though the county received a lot of snow over the winter and received a decent amount of rain recently, it won’t take long for things to dry out, Whitaker said.
“Once things start getting greener again, it’s a little less likely,” he said.
When the weather becomes hotter and drier in late summer, bushfires will become more likely again, Whitaker said.
Monroe Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jason Coy said there have been about six to seven brush fires during the fall 2025 burn ban.
He said people should be sure to watch where the wind is blowing when burning debris and not leave burn pits unattended.
“You have to be careful,” Coy said.
