State reminds residents that illegal burning can generate hefty fines

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Illegal burning could bring heavy fine, harm environment;

Frankfort – Spring cleaning season has arrived and for many Kentuckians it means burning unwanted debris. But illegal burning could result in fines of up to $25,000 per day per violation...

Smoke from open burning is a health problem affecting everyone but especially children, the elderly and those with existing ailments like asthma.

Many people may not realize that burning trash is illegal in Kentucky.

“Today’s trash is different than the trash our grandparents used to burn,” Division of Air Quality Director John Lyons said in a press 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.

Open burning is unhealthy and it's dangerous. A small fire can quickly spread, resulting in widespread damage.

According to the Kentucky Division of Forestry, 21 percent of wildland fires in Kentucky in 2011 were caused by debris burning.

“Kentucky’s forestlands have suffered extensive damage over the past few years due to storms,” Leah MacSwords, director of the Division of Forestry, said in a press release. “Ice, wind and most recently, tornadoes have left a path of downed trees and broken limbs. With so much fuel on the ground, it doesn’t take much for a fire to spread out of control.”

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.

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:

· Do not burn within 50 feet of any structure
· Do not burn near streams or sinkholes
· Do not burn near landfills or under utility lines

To report illegal open burning or to learn more about open burning restrictions in your area, call the Division for Air Quality’s open burn hotline at 1-888-BURN-LAW (1-888-287-6529) or visit http://air.ky.gov.

Kentucky Press News Service