Oldham Open-Burning Ban May Be Extended

Reporter Andrea Uhde Shepherd - Courier Journal

A ban on open burning in Oldham County may be extended past Sept. 30, when it was scheduled to end, Emergency Management Director Kevin Nuss said.

Nuss said he will decide later this week if the ban should be extended because of dry weather.
"If we don't get any rain, I'll ask (Judge-Executive Duane Murner) to extend it," Nuss said. "I'll decide at least by Friday."

The ban began May 1 and prohibits any open burning of tree limbs and leaves — something Nuss said residents are hoping to start doing.

Many types of recreational fires are still allowed during the ban, including those for cooking food and for disposing of organic chemicals. Nuss said if the drought worsens, recreational fires could also be restricted.

The ban is based on pollution levels and usually only impacts the Interstate 71 corridor in Oldham, but Nuss said he was notified this year that the federal rules on burning cover the entire county.

Nuss said he has not heard of any violations this year.

When the ban ends, residents who practice open burning will be asked to notify Oldham County Dispatch at 222-0111 prior to the burn and have someone attend to the fire at all times.

Reporter Andrea Uhde Shepherd can be reached at (502) 582-4663.