Firefighters are asking local citizens to remember a statewide ban on outdoor open burning which went into effect Sunday.

From the beginning of March through the end of May, burning is limited to the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Chris Cocca, a firefighter with the New Concord Fire Department, explained that the ban is partially enacted due to limited volunteer firefighter availability during daytime hours.

During the months of March, April, May, October, and November the State of Ohio enacts such bans without exception based upon the seasonal weather Cocca added.

According to a flyer by the agency food waste, dead animals, materials that contain rubber, grease, asphalt, or petroleum byproducts should never be burned at any time.

Burning within village or city limits is also restricted while burning in unincorporated areas requires a fire to be in excess of 1,000 feet from a neighbor’s inhabited building.

Those found in violation of the ban may be given a warning or subject to fines by the Ohio Department of Forestry.

“Don’t burn so much that you can’t control it yourself, don’t let it get out of hand, if it does, the sooner you call us the better,” Cocca concluded.