Open Burning Learn Before you Burn

Kentucky law has guidelines for open burning. Become familiar with these laws before starting a fire to ensure you are burning in a legal and safe manner. Be sure to check with the Judge Executive’s office or EMA for any current burn bans. You can also get further information from the KY Department of Forestry or the KY Division of Air Quality.

Burning within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland area is allowed only in the evening hours between 6 pm and 6 am.

To learn more, the Kentucky Environmental Protection Agency provides additional information on open burning.

Don’t start a wildfire!

To keep your burn pile from turning into a wildfire be mindful of the following:

• Clear vegetation for 10 feet around your burn pile. Keep your fire small and controllable.
• Be prepared just in case. Have a source of water and shovel nearby.
• Stay with your fire until it is dead out, even at night. Never leave your fire unattended.

If your burn pile starts a wildfire, you may be responsible for paying the cost of putting it out.

Allowable Open Burning

• Fires for cooking.
• Recreational and ceremonial fires.
• Construction site warming fires (contained, clean lumber only).
• Fires set for recognized agricultural practices.
• Prescribed burning for forest, range, ecological or wildlife management.
• Fires set for weed abatement, disease and pest prevention.
• Fires set to dispose of natural growth from land clearing and storms.
• Fires for disposal of household paper products.
• Approved fire fighter training.
• Fires set for the prevention of a fire hazard.

Prohibited Open Burning