Report the burn to Station 1
Before starting any controlled burn, call Scott County Fire Department at 502-863-7853 and report where and when you will be burning.
Scott CountyFire DepartmentBack to SCFD Fire spreading or threatening property? Call 911 immediately.
Call 911Required before any controlled burn
Call Scott County Fire Station 1 before you burn.
You are required to report any planned controlled burn to Scott County Fire Department before the fire is started. Tell Station 1 where and when you will be burning and provide a reliable callback number.
Call 502-863-7853Learn before you burn
Open burning and
controlled burning.
Outdoor burning can create a wildfire, health hazard, or illegal release of air pollution. Before lighting a fire in Scott County, check current restrictions, confirm the material is legal to burn, and make sure the fire can remain under control.
Before every burn
Four steps come first.
Check local restrictions
Always check local laws and current county burn bans. A declared fire emergency can prohibit all open burning.
Check the fire season
From February 15–April 30 and October 1–December 15, burning within 150 feet of woodland or brushland is prohibited between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Check what is burning
Only limited materials and activities are allowed. Trash, structures, treated wood, construction debris, and many other materials are illegal to burn.
Generally allowable under state rules
Allowable open burning
These activities are generally allowed by Kentucky’s open-burning regulation unless a fire emergency, local ordinance, or another restriction applies.
Fires for cooking
Recreational and ceremonial fires
Construction-site warming fires using only clean lumber in a contained fire
Fires for recognized agricultural practices
Prescribed burning for forest, range, ecological, or wildlife management
Fires for weed abatement, disease, and pest prevention
Fires to dispose of natural growth from land clearing or storms
Fires for disposal of household paper products
Approved firefighter training
Fires set to prevent a fire hazard
Ozone-season note: From May through September, certain activities are restricted in Boone, Boyd, Bullitt, Campbell, Jefferson, Kenton, part of Lawrence, and Oldham counties. Scott County is not on that state ozone-season list, but local restrictions and burn bans can still apply.
Never use a fire as a trash can
Prohibited open burning
Burning prohibited material can release harmful pollution and may result in enforcement and substantial penalties.
Home & farm
Animal bedding, hay, muck piles, grass clippings, agricultural plastic, and structures such as barns, sheds, or trailers.
Construction
Construction, demolition, or renovation debris; asbestos; shingles; drywall; and structures of any kind.
Household waste
Food scraps, plastic or products containing plastic, cans, glass, Styrofoam, and diapers.
Wood materials
Fence posts; wood mulch, chips, shavings, or sawdust; painted, stained, or pressure-treated wood; and wooden building materials.
Other prohibited materials
Tires, furniture, carpeting, insulation, coated wire, rubber, used oil, and waste from any business, school, church, or farm.
Keep a controlled burn controlled
Someone must remain with the fire.
Choose calm conditions, keep the burn area clear of nearby fuels, have water and tools ready, and maintain constant supervision until the fire is completely out. Do not burn when smoke could reduce roadway visibility or affect neighboring properties. If the fire escapes your control, call 911 without delay.
Suspected illegal burning
Report an air-pollution complaint.
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet accepts air-pollution complaints, including anonymous reports. Provide the address or location where the suspected illegal burning occurred so inspectors have enough information to investigate.
Submit an anonymous complaintOfficial Kentucky resources
Kentucky open-burning guidance Outdoor-burning laws and fire seasons Current county burn bans