May first marks the beginning of ozone season across the Commonwealth. For people living in eight Kentucky counties, that means some outdoor burning restrictions are in place to protect air quality.
Ground-level ozone is a summertime health risk. It’s created when pollutants chemically react in the atmosphere in the presence of heat and sunlight. State Division for Air Quality Director Michael Kennedy said outdoor or open burning contributes to ozone pollution, especially when the weather turns warmer. He said ozone at ground level is a serious problem for human health.
From May through September outdoor burning of household rubbish, brush, tree limbs, leaves, and natural growth from land clearing is not permitted in Boone, Boyd, Bullitt, Campbell, Kenton, and Oldham counties. Open burning restrictions are found in a portion of Lawrence County and year-round in Jefferson County. Open burning is also prohibited in Fayette County year-round unless it's to provide warmth or it's in a controlled area like a fire pit.
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