COLUMBUS, Ohio — Because of the dry conditions we’re experiencing across much of Ohio, a burn ban is now in effect in portions of the eastern and southeastern parts of the state.

On Sept. 6, the state fire marshal of Ohio issued a ban on open burning in 24 counties: Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Fairfield, Fayette, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton and Washington.

Corn stalks dried out from weeks without rain are visible in every direction around Basil Joint Fire District Station 611. Paired with the windy conditions and a lack of humidity, and Assistant Chief Kasey Farmer said it’s a potential recipe for disaster.

“We’ve got that reminder right next to the station that there is a threat,” he said. “And it’s not a threat that we’re used to in Ohio.”

As someone who was born and raised in Fairfield County, then followed that by serving his neighbors on the fire department for more than 30 years, Farmer knows this primarily rural region well. He said the dry conditions are the worst he’s seen.

“People have a campfire or burning some debris that’s been in their yard, and they go inside and they forget about that,” Farmer said.

With many homes close to fields, he said a stray ember can create a real risk of sparking a fast-spreading fire.

“These go from something that’s well within your control to absolutely out of your control,” Farmer said.

State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said he issued the burn ban in Fairfield and other counties based on the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and/or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) declaring any part of the county as experiencing “extreme” or “exceptional” drought.

“We looked at the totality of the region and we determined that, you know, we would issue a an open burning ban and a burn ban on those counties to help protect the citizens that live there, protect the environment and keep everybody safe,“ he said.

It's the first time the state fire marshal's office has ordered a ban like this, he said.

“So we're 124 years old, and this is the first time we've ever done it," Reardon said. 

Reardon said the ban is in effect until further notice and will be reviewed weekly, based on data provided by the federal agencies.

“It would be nice to see the number of counties go down, but with the weather patterns, we just don't know anymore,” he said.

If your county is not included in the current ban, Reardon said it doesn’t mean there is no risk of a fire getting out of control, nor that the county will not be added to the ban on open flames in the future.

“You're not off on your own and everything is rosy and great,” he said. “I think you need to take and consider the conditions where you live and consider what you're ready to do, whether it's a bonfire, whether it's a campfire or whatever type of open flame is involved. I think you need to be aware of what can possibly happen, with your actions.”

And when open flames are in use, there is always a risk of starting a larger fire. Reardon recommends always making a plan for the worst case scenario.

“What if this small fire gets out of control?” Reardon said. “What are we going to do? How am I going to handle this? Take some preventive measures so that you can protect yourself, but also keep the fire from spreading.”

Because of how fast grass fires can spread, Reardon said a lot of damage can be done in a very short amount of time.

“You could be looking at a situation where tens, if not hundreds, of acres of fire could happen before fire departments even have a chance to control it,” he said.

Farmer said they also take an extra toll on departments to extinguish.

“It takes a lot of equipment, a lot of manpower, to combat openly a wild land fire,” he said.

He is asking everyone to be aware and do their part to help prevent a dangerous situation for everyone in the community.

Farmer said jurisdictions have the option to fine people who use open flames outdoors during a burn ban. At this time, he said his district is asking people to comply with the ban on open flames voluntarily, but said they will involve law enforcement, if necessary.