Burning Land Clearing Debris in Pike County, Ohio

Thinking about burning the brush from clearing your land? In Ohio, you generally can't just light it. Land clearing waste needs written Ohio EPA permission and an air curtain device or an approved equal, and Pike County is named in the state plan for higher wildfire likelihood.

Land clearing waste is not yard waste

Ohio's rule defines land clearing waste as "plant waste material which is removed from land" so it can be developed, and that includes clearing "for new agricultural development." So woods cleared for a house site, a shop or new pasture are in this category. Trimmings from your own existing yard or an existing farm generally aren't.

For land clearing waste, the rule allows burning only "upon receipt of written permission from the Ohio EPA," and these conditions apply:

• "only when atmospheric conditions will readily dissipate contaminants"
• it "does not create a visibility hazard on roadways, railroad tracks, or air fields"
• "no less than one thousand feet from any inhabited building" off the premises
• "An air curtain destructor or other device or method" that the director finds at least as effective

An air curtain burner itself may need more permits; the rule refers to a permit-to-install and a Title V permit. Ask Ohio EPA.

How to ask for permission

Apply in writing with the purpose, the quantity or acreage, the dates, a location map with distances, and how you'll reduce emissions. The rule gives the agency "at least ten working days to review the permit." Call Ohio EPA's Southeast District at (740) 385-8501 or the open burning coordinator at (614) 644-2270. Ask directly what they'd accept as equal to an air curtain destructor.

In and near town

Ohio's restricted areas are town limits plus a zone: "a zone extending one mile beyond" a municipality of 10,000 or more, and 1,000 feet for one of 1,000 to 10,000. The list of allowed burning in restricted areas doesn't mention land clearing waste. Treat it as not allowed there, and confirm with Ohio EPA.

Banned hours, and what they cost you

On top of the EPA rule, Ohio law bars open burning outside town limits "between the hours of six a.m. and six p.m." in March, April, May, October and November. There are exceptions for a plowed field, garden or public highway at least 200 feet from woods or flammable fields. You also have to clear flammable material around any fire near woods or brush, and never leave a fire burning. Our reading is that a land clearing burn has to satisfy both rules.

Breaking that law is a crime. Quote: "guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree."

Why they take it seriously here

Ohio's hazard mitigation plan names "Pike, Adams, Scioto, Lawrence, and Gallia counties" as having a higher likelihood of future wildfires. The main cause statewide? Quote: "the main cause being escaped debris burning."

Statewide, the plan counts 4,885 fires and 11,057 acres in ODNR's protection area over the same five years, and says that's likely an undercount. ODNR's wildfire supervisor put it plainly in March 2026: "Careless debris burning is the leading cause of spring wildfires in Ohio." The same report says violators can face citations and fines.

Household and existing-farm burning is a separate path

Outside restricted areas, the rule lets you burn waste generated on your own premises under looser terms: 1,000 feet from other people's inhabited buildings, stacked and dried. Quote: "No materials are burned which contain rubber, grease, asphalt," and the list goes on with petroleum products, plastics and building materials. Bigger piles need prior notice: agricultural piles over 20 by 10 feet, and residential piles over 10 by 10 by 10 feet. Don't assume this covers a clearing job. If you aren't sure which side you're on, ask.

Ohio EPA's open burning coordinator is at (614) 644-2270, and ODNR Forestry is at 877-247-8733.

Ways around burning

• Forestry mulching: grind it where it stands, and there's no pile.
• Haul it: ask where the contractor takes it and whether hauling is in the price.
• Sell the logs first: if there's timber in it, a sale can reduce what's left.
• Air curtain burning: on big jobs, ask whether the contractor can bring the equipment and handle the Ohio EPA paperwork.

Put the debris plan in the written contract. Ask who is responsible for getting permission if anything is burned. The question to ask is whether a price assumes burning, because that's a plan that might not be allowed.

Common questions

Can I burn the brush from clearing my land?

Not without permission. Land clearing waste takes written Ohio EPA permission, 1,000 feet from others' inhabited buildings, and an air curtain destructor or approved equal.

Does turning woods into pasture change the rules?

It puts you in the stricter group. Ohio's definition of land clearing waste includes clearing "for new agricultural development."

What hours can I burn?

Outside town limits, no open burning from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in March, April, May, October and November, on top of everything else. Ohio EPA's rules still apply year-round.

What if my burn gets away?

Burning during banned hours is a third-degree misdemeanor. Whether Ohio can also charge you for fire suppression wasn't something we could confirm, so ask ODNR Forestry.

How this site can help

Tell us how much there is to clear and what you'd like done with the brush. One independent contractor who serves your part of Pike County gets the request and can tell you how they'd handle the debris.

Related pages

• Forestry mulching
• Acreage and pasture
• Permits and who to call
• Lot and house-site clearing
• Land clearing cost

Sources

• OAC 3745-19-01, open burning definitions
• OAC 3745-19-04, open burning outside restricted areas
• OAC 3745-19-05, permission to burn
• OAC 3745-19-03, open burning in restricted areas
• Ohio 2020 census counts by governmental unit
• ORC 1503.18, fire near woods and banned hours
• ORC 1503.99, penalties
• Ohio EMA, State Hazard Mitigation Plan, wildfire section, pp. 2-129 to 2-137 (Rev. 2/2024)
• Farm and Dairy, spring wildfire warning from ODNR, Mar 26, 2026
• Ohio EPA, open burning community guide
• ODNR Forestry burn sheet, hosted by Miami Township

Read November 2026. Rules change, so check the office that decides before you rely on any of this.