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Government Center
7593 Bunnell Hill Road
Springboro, OH 45066
Warren County
                Open Burning
 
 
 
Any outdoor fire is considered open burning by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Open burning is permitted as long as the location of the burning is acceptable, other specific conditions are met, and when approval of the local fire department is obtained.

Accidental damage can occur when the open burning practice is uncontrolled. Fire can spread by flying embers to neighboring houses or outbuildings. Fire can also spread through grass and vegetation consuming structures and property. Many historic forest fires are believed to have resulted from careless open burning and unattended campfires. Regulations are in place to protect you and your neighbor’s property from accidental damage. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has specific laws governing the activity of open burning. The Clearcreek Fire District assists in the enforcement of these laws in Clearcreek Township and the City of Springboro.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency sets forth different criteria for burning depending on the location of the burn activity in relation to municipal limits. The City of Springboro and the area within Clearcreek Township that is within one mile of the city limits is known as the “Restricted Area”. Please consult the map here to determine if you are within the restricted burning area.

openburn.pdf
 
BURNING WITHIN THE CITY OF SPRINGBORO OR WITHIN ONE MILE OF CITY LIMITS

No open burning is permitted within the city limits of Springboro or within 1 mile of the city limits of Springboro and any neighboring municipal corporation, with the following exceptions:
    1. Cooking for human consumption (i.e. food preparation)
    2. Heating for warmth of outdoor workers.
      a. Only clean wood, no trash.
      b. Must be contained in a 55 gallon drum.
      c. Must be at least 15 feet from any structure.

    3. Burning allowed by advanced permission from the Ohio E.P.A. for “ceremonial” fires (Bon Fires) for any duration of less than 3 hours and a maximum size of 5 feet by 5 feet. Please refer to the regional EPA website at http://www.hcdoes.org or contact Southwest Ohio Air Pollution Control (EPA) at 1-513-946-7777 to begin the permit process.
 
BURNING WITHIN CLEARCREEK TOWNSHIP, GREATER THAN ONE MILE FROM CITY LIMITS

Permission to burn within the limits of Clearcreek Township and/or 1 mile from the city limits of Springboro and any neighboring municipal corporation must be obtained by calling the Clearcreek Fire District Monday through Friday between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. A Clearcreek Fire District officer will visit your burn site to ensure compliance with Ohio Fire Code and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provisions. Permission to burn will be for a period determined at the time of the site inspection.

Please plan ahead and call at least two days prior to your burn activity. When you call we will visit you as soon as possible however, emergencies must take priority so we ask for your patience. No burning will be permitted until the site inspection is completed.

Please note the following general provisions:
    - Open burning will not be permitted during air pollution warnings (ozone action days) or when the Air Quality Index is greater than 150.
    - Burn pile maximum size is 5 feet diameter by 5 feet in height.
    - Agricultural or Landscape wastes only (scrap lumber, fence posts, tree trimmings, branches, stumps, weeds, leaves, grass, shrubbery, yard trimmings)
    - Waste generated on the premises.
    - Residential waste. (wood or paper products generated by 1, 2, or 3 family residences
    - Burning activity may be stopped if the fire becomes an irritant or a nuisance.
    - Materials containing rubber, grease and plastics can never be burned. As a general rule, if the material produces black smoke it cannot be burned.
    - Fires must be 50 feet from any off-property, inhabited structure.
    - Fires must be 1000 feet from any structure. Fires in an “approved container” must be at least 15 feet from any structure.
    - All fires must be kept to a minimum size for their intended purpose, and shall not be used for waste disposal.
    - Land clearing wastes as a result of residential, commercial or industrial development may be burned only under certain circumstances and with prior notification to Ohio EPA.
 
 
 

Fire and Life Safety Services
Clearcreek Fire District
925 South Main Street
Springboro, Ohio 45066
Voice: (937) 748-2766
Fax: (937) 748-2566