CHARDON, Ohio — The Chardon Fire Department warns that burning yard waste during windy and dry seasons is not only illegal but also very dangerous. 

“Call sooner than later. Call 911 before it gets out of hand,” said Justin Geiss, the department's assistant fire chief.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio’s statewide burn ban is in effect from Oct. to Nov. from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Assistant Chardon Fire Chief Justin Geiss said fires can spread very fast and can get out of control 

  • Should a fire get out of control, call 911 immediately 

  • “All it takes is one leaf that’s on fire or a hot ember to blow out and into the woods,” said Geiss.

While many local cities will collect yard waste like leaves, sticks and trimmings, some are left without that service and resort to other methods.

“We try and tell people every year to to not burn,” said Geiss.

He said it's a problem they see every year.

“In some cases, people don't feel that there's another way of getting rid of it,” said Geiss. 

So far, the department has responded to over 40 different calls for open burns or brush fires. He said the weather conditions are to blame.  

“Everything’s been very dry, so those fires can quickly get away from you.”

That the fires quickly get out of hand is why burning during the months of October through November from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. is illegal. The burn ban is to help avoid fires getting out of control. 

Should a fire get out of control, Geiss said to call 911 immediately.

"All it takes is one leaf that's on fire or a hot ember to blow out and blow into the woods,” said Geiss. “Everything's been very dry so those fires can quickly get away from you.”