Open Burning Ban Starts May 1st In Parts Of Oldham

Story by: Reporter Andrea Uhde, Courier Journal

Open burning will be prohibited in some parts of Oldham County starting Friday, May 1.

The ban will last until Sept. 30 and will affect areas of the county that the Federal Environmental Protection Agency has defined as "moderate non-attainment air quality for ozone," according to Kevin Nuss of Oldham County Emergency Management.

Those areas include properties along the north side of Interstate 71, starting at the Oldham-Jefferson line and reaching about a mile out. Much of the Crestwood and Pewee Valley areas are in the zone, along with the downtown La Grange area.

Sections of the county that aren't in a non-attainment area can continue open burning throughout the summer, as long as residents follow the county's guidelines, including that they notify Oldham dispatch before they burn and remain at the site until the fire is extinguished.

Residents who violate the county's open burning ordinance can be cited by a fire department , Nuss said. Penalties include a fine ranging from $50 to $1,000.

For more information, call Oldham dispatch at 222-0111 or the local fire department.
Reporter Andrea Uhde can be reached at (502) 582-4663