Missouri Division of Fire Safety
Facts on Open Burning

Be Aware...

Plan Ahead...

Your Authority...

For Your Protection...

Due to the continued lack of moisture throughout many areas of the state, the next few weeks and into fall are shaping up to have conditions favorable for a high risk of wildland fires.

The Missouri Division of Fire Safety is urging fire service agencies and local governments to plan for this situation by adopting a local ordinance to prohibit open burning during a high fire hazard time period. Missouri statutes do not allow the state to issue a MANDATORY burn ban at the state level.

Statutory authority is given to fire protection districts via RSMo 321.220 (12) to "adopt and amend bylaws, fire protection and fire prevention ordinances, …". However, coordination with the county prosecuting attorney’s office is strongly recommended before implementing such an ordinance to ensure enforcement ability.

Voluntary fire service associations should also coordinate similar efforts at the local level to adopt open burning laws.

Not only is the land affected, but also personnel throughout many fire service agencies are pushed to their limit battling these types of fires. These situations place Missouri citizens and responding fire fighters at risk.

Establishing local ordinances to prohibit open burning during hazardous conditions, is a proactive approach and will help reduce the number of wildland fires in the future.

updated 8/2/05

Missouri Statutes
RSMo 321.220

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