Open Burn Guidelines

  1. Details
  2. Materials
  3. Permit
  4. Advice

Residents of Beavercreek City and Township may have a recreational fire on their property if they follow certain guidelines. These Rules and Regulations set forth by the Ohio Fire Code (OFC) are regulated by the Beavercreek Township Fire Department (BTFD). The following are details of what to know before you burn:

What is the Difference?

  • A Recreational An outdoor fire where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill, or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 ft. or less in diameter and 2ft or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth, or similar purposes." OFC 2017 Rule 2 Pg. 77 Click here for our Recreational Fire Printout
  • A Bonfire is an outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes (flag decommissioning, boy scout ceremonies, etc.)
  • Open Burning is defined as any outdoor fire that is not enclosed by some sort of container, In open burning, the by-products of the fire - gases, ashes, & soot- are thus emitted directly into the air. 
  • Fire Pits are recreational fire conducted in a gas-fired recreations pits.
  • Portable Outdoor Fireplaces are constructed of noncombustible materials such as metal or concrete and can moved freely outdoors. May be of open design or have a small shaft or chimney.

Click here for an Open Burn Guidelines printout 

Size Matters:

  • A Recreational fire cannot exceed 3 foot in diameter by 2-foot-tall.
  • A Bonfire must remain smaller than 5 foot in diameter by 5-foot-tall with a burning time limit of 3 hours.

Location, Location, Location: 

  • Open burning should be reasonably distanced from any structure- with no possibility of spreading to the structure(s) or combustible materials.
    1. Recreational fires shall maintain a 25-foot distance from structures
    2. Bonfires shall maintain a 50-foot distance from structures
    3. Fires in approved containers, such as portable outdoor fireplaces and fire pits shall maintain a 15-foot distance from structures.
      • Distance may be modified by the code official upon inspection.

Stay close. Stay safe:

  • Any open burning, recreational or bonfire, must be constantly attended by an adult until the fire is completely extinguished.
  • A means of extinguishment- Fire Ext., dirt, sand, water barrel or garden hose must be readily available while the fire is burning.

When not to burn:

  • Open burning shall be…is in effect.
  • Even if your fire is within…roadway hazard.