OHIO, (WOWK) – The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s burn ban is still ongoing for 24 counties. Officials say while many areas of the Buckeye state have finally received measurable amounts of rain this week, several counties are still experiencing drought conditions.
According to the OSFM, the ban first went into effect on Sept. 6, 2024. Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon says that if NOAA and the USDA identify even part of a county as being in an “extreme” or “exceptional” drought, the entire county is included in the OSFM burn ban.
Ohio State Fire Marshal extends, expans burn ban
This burn ban prohibits all outdoor fires and forbids bonfires, campfires, smoking or outdoor cooking of any kind. All firework displays have also been banned. The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office says even live fire training events are banned.
While the OSFM has lifted this ban in some counties, every county in the state is still under the state’s annual outdoor burning ban which prohibits burning between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. through November. The law went into effect on Oct. 1, as it takes place every March-May, and October-November.