Open burning is the burning of unwanted materials such as paper, trees, brush, leaves, grass, and other debris, where smoke and other emissions are released directly into the air without passing through a chimney or stack. Open burning also includes incineration devices that do not control the combustion air to maintain an adequate temperature and do not provide sufficient residence time for complete combustion (R 336.1115(b) and R 299.4104). Open burning pollutes the air and poses a fire hazard. The air pollution created by open burning can irritate eyes and lungs, obscure visibility, soil nearby surfaces, create annoying odors, and is a danger to those with respiratory conditions.

Open burning regulations are enforced by each District Office of the Air Quality Division, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Guidance Publications
Michigan Open Burning Laws and Rules
Local Ordinances
Fire Department Supression Training
Other Related Open Burning Web Sites
Open Burning Alternatives

Technical Assistance Resources

Guidance Publications

• Model Ordinance for Outdoor and Open Burning (September 2006) **NEW**
  • Model Ordinance Template (Word)
• Michigan Open Burning Guide (pdf)
• Open Burning Regulations in Michigan (brochure) (pdf)
• Burning Household Waste (brochure) (pdf)
• Michigan Open Burning Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
• Residential Leaf Burning: An Unhealthy Solution to Leaf Disposal (html)
• Evaluation of Emissions from the Open Burning of Household Waste in Barrels (pdf)
• Evaluation of Emissions from the Open Burning of Land-Clearing Debris (pdf)
• Emissions from Outdoor Wood-Burning Residential Hot Water Furnaces (pdf)
• Open Burning Construction and Demolition Waste - University of Wisconsin Fact Sheet (pdf)
• Don't Burn Your Trash At Your Campsite - Michigan Campfire Card (pdf)

Michigan Open Burning Laws and Rules

• Michigan Air Pollution Control Rules and Part 115 (Solid Waste) Rules

R 336.1310 - Air Quality Open Burning Rule (pdf)
R 336.1331 - Priority I and II Areas (pdf)
R 299.4128 - solid waste open burning rule (pdf)

• Part 115 (Solid Waste Management) of Act 451

Section 324.11522 - Open Burning of Grass Clippings or Leaves (pdf)

• Part 515 (Prevention and Suppression of Forest Fires) of Act 451

Section 324.51501 - Definitions (pdf)
Section 324.51503 - burning permits, conditions (pdf)
Section 324.51504 - acts prohibited (pdf)
Section 324.51507 - extreme fire hazard conditions; proclamation by governor as to use of fire; prohibited acts (pdf)
Section 324.51510 - intentionally causing fire (pdf)

Local Ordinances

• Municipalities over 7,500 that allow open burning of grass clippings and leaves (PA 451 of 1994, section 324.11522)
• Michigan Municipal League Sample Open Burning Ordinances
• Michigan Township Association Sample Ordinances

Fire Department Supression Training

• Fire Suppression Training - Environmental Protection Guidance (pdf)
• National Fire Protection Association Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions (NFPA 1403)
• Office of the State Fire Marshal
• Asbestos Information
• Notification of Intent to Renovate/Demolish (EQP5661) (pdf)

Other Related Open Burning Web Sites 

• Learn not to Burn - learn about the hazards of backyard trash burning at: http://www.iisgcp.org/learnnot2burn/
• DEQ, Air Quality Division
  DNR, Fire Management Division
• DEQ District Offices
• EPA, Open Burning Website - includes public service videos, publications, and web links
• Where to Obtain a Burning Permit
• Great Lakes Trash and Open Burning Website
• BurnBarrel.org - Background information on burn barrels, open burning, backyard burning
• Information about Wood Treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) and Its Use as a Wood Preservative
• EPA, Backyard Burning Web Site
• Outdoor Wood-fired Boilers/Furnaces

Open Burning Alternatives

• Yard Waste Composting (pdf)
• Composting Yard Trimmings and Municipal Solid Waste (pdf)
• Home Composting - Reap a Heap of Benefits (pdf)
• Composting - Michigan Department of Agriculture website
• Composting - Michigan DEQ website
• Recycling - DEQ website
• Recycling - Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory
• Michigan Solid Waste Landfills
• Scrap Tire Disposal
• Household Hazardous waste Disposal
• Reducing Construction and Demolition Waste

For More Information or Additional Assistance, contact the
Environmental Assistance Program  at 800-662-9278

Do you have an outreach idea or suggestion for our Program? Please feel free to submit your requests to: David Fiedler.