COLUMBUS — Ohio’s annual burn ban is in effect now that wildfire season is here.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry released information urging Ohioans to follow the state’s outdoor burning regulations. It suggested taking precautions when burning debris this spring.

However, Ohio law states that most outdoor burning is prohibited in unincorporated areas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March through May.

“Each spring, wildfires ignite in Ohio due to careless trash and debris burning,” ODNR Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser said in a news release. “If Ohioans follow safe burning practices and obey regulations, they can help prevent wildfires.”

This ban against burning outdoor debris started March 1 and will run until May 31.

Ohio Revised Code 1503.18 details the regulations of the burning ban. It notes that no person shall kindle a fire on public land without the written permission of the forest-fire warden having jurisdiction or on land owned by another without the written permission of the owner or the owner’s agent.

Secondly, no person shall kindle or authorize another to kindle a fire in or near any woodland, brushland, or land containing tree growth or in any place from which the fire is likely to escape unless all leaves, grass, wood and inflammable material surrounding the place where the fire is kindled have first been removed to a safe distance and all other reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent its escape from control.

No fire shall be left until extinguished or safely covered.

A similar ban takes effect in October and November each year.

Also, conditions of the ban can be further restricted or eliminated by executive order of the governor if environmental conditions warrant.

This ban applies to open burning in unincorporated areas, according to ODNR, though incorporated areas such as cities and villages may have different restrictions, and additional temporary restrictions may be issued if wildfire danger becomes extremely elevated.

ODNR says to use a 55-gallon drum with a weighted screen lid to provide an enclosed incinerator if someone chooses to burn during unrestricted hours. Food waste, dead animals and materials containing rubber, grease, asphalt or petroleum should never be burned.

The reason for the ban is because in the spring, there is an abundance of dry grass, weeds and leaves on the ground and low humidity can make a “seemingly safe” fire burn more intensely and escape control, it added. ODNR also recommends calling a local fire department if that does happen.

Some safety tips from the Division of Forestry for burning debris outdoors include: knowing current and future weather conditions, having tools and water on hand, never leaving a debris burn unattended, being informed about state and local burning regulations, consulting the local fire department for additional information and safety considerations and considering safe alternatives for debris disposal, such as composting.

Visit ODNR Division of Forestry’s website, forestry.ohiodnr.gov, and Firewise.org for more information.

People who violate the burning ban are subject to citations and fines.