Outdoor Burning

Open burning ordinance, #31 of 2007

Ordinance #31 of 2007 regulates open burning within the city limits of Benton.  

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Open burning

 Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Regulations 

 Open burning of yard waste is strongly discouraged, but permissible. 

Act 1151 of 1997 (which went into effect August 2, 1997) strongly discourages open burning of yard waste and encourages residents to recycle this waste. Open burning of yard waste is allowed but can be limited.

General Precautions against Fire

• Open burning; bonfires or recreational fires must be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished.
• A charged garden hose, fire extinguisher, water barrel, dirt or sand must be readily available for utilization.
• The location for open burning shall not be less than 50 feet from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading within 50 feet of any structure. However, the minimum required distance from a structure can be minimized to 25 feet, if the pile is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. Conditions which could cause the fire to spread to within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
• Fires in approved containers maybe no less than 15 feet from a structure.
• Bonfires and Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material unless the bonfire is contained within a barbecue pit. Conditions which could cause the fire to spread to within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.