It's spring and some Kentucky residents may want to burn unwanted debris as part of spring clean-up. But under state law, most outdoor burning is now illegal in Kentucky. And illegal outdoor burning could bring fines as large as $25,000 per day per violation.
“Today’s trash is different than the trash our grandparents used to burn,” Division of Air Quality Director John Lyons said in a news release. “Plastics, chemicals, and other synthetic materials are far more common in the things we throw away. Burning this trash releases high levels of toxic pollutants such as dioxins, sulfur dioxide, lead and mercury.”
State law prohibits the burning of many materials including plastic, tires, cans, coated wire, carpeting and food waste. In addition, the burning of trailers, buildings, and construction and demolition debris such as shingles, drywall and insulation is prohibited. Painted, stained or treated wood products like fence posts, pallets, and furniture are illegal to burn, because they release dangerous toxins into the air. Items that cannot be recycled should be taken to a state-permitted landfill, the news release said.
Smoke from open burning is a health problem that affects everyone, but especially children, the elderly, and those with existing ailments like asthma. Children are particularly sensitive to air pollution from open burning, because their bodies are still developing. Children also breathe 50 percent more oxygen per pound of body weight than adults do, so their lungs are exposed to more harmful pollutants.
Open burning isn’t just unhealthy, it’s also dangerous. A small fire can quickly spread, especially during windy weather, resulting in widespread damage. From Friday through Sunday, for example, the Kentucky Division of Forestry reported 110 separate wildfires burning a total of 2,765 acres.
Crittenden County firefighters battled three field fires on Monday and Tuesday.
Some open burning is legal with restrictions. Campfires, fires for cooking, and fires to dispose of tree limbs are permitted in most counties, except when a countywide burn ban has been declared, or when prohibited by local ordinance. During fire hazard season, which runs through the end of April, it is illegal to burn anything within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland area between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Restrictions may also apply during summer months for certain counties whose current pollution levels exceed air quality standards.
Use common sense before burning anything:
- Never burn within 50 feet of any structure.
- Never burn near streams or sinkholes.
- Never burn near landfills or under utility lines.
