Open air burning is an outdated cultural tradition. Kentucky's open burning rules allow for some materials to be burned, but many materials are illegal to burn. Illegal burns are subject to a fine of up to $25,000. The rules limit when and where you can burn.

It Could Hurt You or Others

Air pollution from open burning can cause serious health problems and damage the environment. That's why there are state rules to control air pollution caused by open burning.

When you light that trash pile, 7 percent to 9 percent of what you burn ends up as air pollution, and some pollutants are highly toxic. Pollutants include particulate matter, dioxin, heavy metals and arsenic among many others.

What we burn today is different than what was burned in the past. Many items contain low levels of chlorine, that when burned release a pollutant called dioxin, a toxic chemical.

The smoke from your fire may not bother you but it could be a real problem and a serious health threat for your neighbors, especially if they have any respiratory diseases. Did you know that a number of illnesses can actually be caused by exposure to air pollution?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

A lot of open burning isn't necessary. Brush could be composted, piled up for wildlife or just left to decompose. Newspapers could be recycled. Your old attic junk could be given away for someone else to reuse. By making a few sensible choices, you could reduce the amount of throw-away material you create in the first place. The possibilities are endless.

Look at what you've decided to burn. Isn't there something else you can do with it?

Reduce
Look for items with less packaging.
Buy items in packaging that can be reused or recycled. Reuse Donate old clothes, shoes, books, appliances, electronics, furniture and toys to charity. Carry a coffee mug with you instead of disposable cups. Bring your own cloth bag to the store or reuse plastic bags. Recycle Many counties in Kentucky have a community recycling center.  You can bring one or more of the following: Newspaper Plastics #1 and #2 Cardboard Aluminum Steel Glass Compost Leaves and grass clippings can be turned into food for your garden or houseplants. Instead of burning old pallets, tie four pallets together to make a simple compost bin. Landfill Items that cannot be reused or recycled should be taken to the landfill.

It's the law.

Violating state air quality regulations could result in a fine of up to $25,000 per day.

Kentucky Division for Air Quality rules do allow certain types of open burning: campfires, barbecues, small fires for warmth, burning plant matter from clearing your own property and wood bonfires on festive occasions.

Do not add tires to a fire. It is illegal to burn: tires and other rubber products; wire; treated, painted or finished wood; plastics; garbage; heavy oils; asphalt materials; building materials, especially those containing asbestos; paints; and agricultural and household chemicals.

Open burning presentation - This slideshow presentation will teach you what open burning is, which burning activities are legal and which are not!  You can also learn when and where it is acceptable to burn legal materials, and what to do with materials that are illegal to burn.

You should be aware that, in addition to Division for Air Quality rules, other state and local regulations may apply. For example, the Kentucky Division of Forestry and the State Fire Marshal's Office have regulations aimed at ensuring a blaze does not spread. Many city and county governments have ordinances regarding outdoor fires.

Before starting a fire, check with your county or city government about restrictions that apply to your community. Another source of information is the Kentucky Division for Air Quality regional office or the solid waste coordinator in your area.

The "Open Burning Learn Before You Burn" brochure gives additional information of the Division for Air Quality's rules and regulations on open burning.  (English version or Spanish version)

If you would like to file a complaint or would like more information on open burning you can call 1-888-BURN-LAW or e-mail: burnlaw@ky.gov.

Fire training - may involve the periodic, controlled burning of a structure to mimic an actual building fire.  When completed according to established training criteria the live burn improves the capability of local firefighters while minimizing the release of pollutants into the air.