Ohio burn ban: Can you grill? Here's what you can, can't do in Ohio's extreme drought

Nov 05, 2024

In the midst of a burn ban covering several Ohio counties, you may wonder: Can I grill this burger?

The ban order issued by the State Fire Marshal on Sept. 7 initially covered 24 counties. The order has since been extended to include Franklin, Pickaway, Fairfield, and Licking counties.

Large portions of the state are experiencing drought conditions, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Exceptional drought, the worst possible drought condition, is present in almost 10% of the state. Extreme drought, the second worst condition, takes up 20% of the state.

The open burn ban prohibits anyone sparking or maintaining an open fire to prevent wildfires. Those activities include:

Any open burning of trash, debris, waste, combustibles, leaf piles or similar vegetation

Campfires and bonfires

Throwing down or discarding lit or smoldering material, such as matches or cigarettes

Using or discharging any type of fireworks

Live-fire training events

Flame effect(s) based displays or exhibitions, including sky lanterns and cold spark machines

Using spark- or heat-producing devices for recreational purposes

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 the incident.

According to a news release by the state fire marshal, certain outdoor cooking is allowed.

"Acceptable open flame-related activities include indoor cooking, outdoor cooking with electric stoves/cooking elements or propane/liquid fueled cooking as permitted in this Order, and use of non-flame-based heating or electrical devices."

So grilling on a propane grilled is allowed, and so is cooking outside on an electric stove. Charcoal grills would not be allowed.

But there are caveats for propane grills:

Fire extinguishers must be readily available.

Adequate water must be available to put out any flames, and immediately accessible.

No flammable materials like debris, grass or vegetation can be within 5 feet of the cooking equipment.

Public areas like campgrounds, parking lots, public or private parks or sporting venues must be "adequately staffed" with people properly trained in emergency response procedures for propane grills to be used. Those areas must have those trained people regularly monitoring areas where propane grilling or other "liquid fueled cooking" occurs.

The ban will last until the drought improves.

According to the order, the ban will be lifted on a county-by-county basis as each impacted county is removed from "extreme drought" or "exceptional drought" categories.

Wetter conditions next week could help matters.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio drought and burn ban: What it means for grilling, fireworks