As defined inAPCD Regulation 1.02: Definitions, "open burning" means "the burning of any matter in such a manner that the products of combustion resulting from the burning are emitted directly into the outside air without passing through a stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally equivalent opening."
While burning a pile of leaves or having a bonfire for a party may seem harmless, any fire releases harmful materials. Emissions from fires include irritating particles (PM10 and PM2.5), toxic chemicals, carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas), carbon monoxide,oxides of nitrogenandvolatile organic compounds. The last two can formground-level ozone, especially on sunny days. Burning garbage can produce much larger quantities of toxic materials, such as dioxins. While sitting around a campfire is cozy and an ancient tradition, this is an urbanized area. With nearly a million people in the metropolitan Louisville area, there would be a significant amount of pollution produced if people could have open fires any time they wanted to. And with any fire, there's the possibility of the fire getting out of control, risking lives, natural resources and property. For these reasons, open burning is generally prohibited in Louisville Metro/Jefferson County. Exceptions are described below.
APCD Regulation 1.11: Control of Open Burningprescribes under what conditions open burning is or can be permitted in Louisville Metro/Jefferson County. Fires are also subject to approval from your local fire department. Other laws and regulations may also apply, depending on the circumstances.
You can have a fire to cook food for a non-commercial purpose (but read theregulationfor details). You can help your community by not cooking out on an Air Quality Alert Day. A fire that is larger than necessary for cooking or is kept burning longer than necessary for cooking is considered a recreational fire. The regulation excludes fires that are kept covered most of the time, as in a covered grill or a smoker. If you are cooking food for a commercial purpose, then you need to enclose and properly ventilate the cooking fire with a chimney or similar device. If you are operating a restaurant or catering service, you need to followLouisville Metro Health Departmentregulations for such a business.
If you want to hold a recreational or ceremonial fire, such as a bonfire, you need to get a permit from APCD at least five working days ahead of time, and notify your local fire department. See theRecreational Fire Permit Application. Note that even with this approval, the fire cannot be held if the wind is faster than 15 mph or it is an Air Quality Alert day.
With an APCD operating permit, a flare can be used to burn off waste gases. The flare must have a smokeless tip and the opacity of the emissions cannot exceed 20%.
There are various other exemptions in unusual circumstances. For example, certain materials may be burned in the open if theHealth Department has declared that to be necessary for controlling a public health hazard.
For fires that are not exempted, there are better ways to accomplish the same goal.
Yard Waste and Tree Stumps
Yard waste, such as leaves, can be composted or, if necessary, hauled away. If you live inside the Louisville Metro Urban Service District (the former City of Louisville), yard waste is picked up weekly, the same day as your recyclables. If you live outside the Urban Service District, or are operating a business, follow the rules of your garbage removal company.
Yard wasteinformation from Louisville Metro Waste Management Services
Trash in general can be reduced through the "three R's": reduce what you bring in (from the store or supplier), reuse what you can, and recycle anything that is recyclable. If you live in Louisville Metro/Jefferson County outside the Urban Services District, you can take recyclables to one of several suburban recycling drop-off centers. SeeLouisville Metro Waste Management Services for more information. Dispose properly of anything that is left. At most locations outside the Urban Services District or a small city, this means contracting with a private service.