This week we look at the regulations for open fires. The CLPOA open fire rule is a state of Ohio law. Like all state laws, residents in private communities are note exempt from state laws.
The open fire rule tends to bring frustration. I feel that frustration can be avoided if the simple rule is understood. Below is the rule as defined in the CLPOA Rules & Regulations.
To me, it really comes down to common sense. I love the definition below.
If you are sitting around a typical social fire ring, there will be no issues. It’s very obvious if one is having a fire to get rid of debris from a tree or landscape project. It’s even more obvious when there is a huge cloud of black smoke that you can see from across the lake because one is burning construction material or other abnormal items.
Be safe and have fun socializing around a campfire. Choctaw Lake is a great place to have campfires under the stars. It’s not a great place to have illegal open fires. Your neighbor’s house is not that far away from your fire. You will be frustrated when patrol or the fire department shows up at your property when you try to get around the open fire law.
Click the link below to review the Ohio EPA Open Burning Regulations. The document is very clear and informative. I would like to call attention to the top two rows in the chart on page 2 of the two page document.