Planning to burn brush or have an outdoor fire? Start here. A day without a burn ban still has rules for what, when, and where you may burn.

Before you burn: four checks

1 · Restrictions

Check bans and air-quality alerts

Check the map above and any applicable local restrictions. A burn ban and an Ozone or Particulate Matter (PM) Alert are different restrictions; check both.

DEQ ozone & PM alert information ↗

2 · Permit & notification

Commercial permits & burn notification

A commercial burn permit is required. The cost is $150, payable by check or money order to Oak Grove Fire Department. Commercial burning also requires notification. We prefer notification for all burning. Call 918-266-6063, Option 1.

Station hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. A notification does not override a burn ban or other restrictions.

3 · Timing

Use the allowed daytime window

For ordinary brush burning, start no earlier than three hours after sunrise and no later than three hours before sunset. Do not intentionally add fuel outside that window.

Some specialized categories have exceptions. See the official rules for those activities.

4 · Smoke

Protect neighbors and visibility

Your smoke must not create a public nuisance, reduce visibility on roads, railways, or airfields, or harm a city or town’s air quality. Even without a ban, conditions may make burning inappropriate.

See Oklahoma DEQ’s burning guidance ↗ for the general requirements.

What can I burn?

Yard brush: conditional

Branches, leaves, limbs, shrubbery, and tree trimmings fall under the yard-brush category. The rules distinguish this from grass clippings, garbage, in-ground stumps, and non-vegetative material.

Burn only when the applicable restrictions and conditions are met. Material brought from another property has additional rules.

Trash: generally prohibited

Household refuse has a narrow exception only when collection and disposal service is not reasonably available, and burning occurs on the property where the waste was generated.

Never burn tires. The household-refuse definition excludes items such as appliances, furniture, carpet, electrical wire, and non-wood construction debris.

What does “clean wood” or “clean lumber” mean?

These categories refer to untreated wood or lumber. Painted, stained, pressure-treated, or manufactured wood containing adhesives or resins does not qualify as clean wood or clean lumber. Examples include treated decking, plywood, particle board, and oriented strand board.

The rules also distinguish wood waste, yard brush, and land-clearing material. They are not interchangeable disposal categories.

What about a campfire, cooking fire, or ceremonial fire?

The rules include a recreational and ceremonial category for campfires and non-commercial food preparation. That category does not cancel a burn ban or a stricter local restriction. Read the current order before using any outdoor fire.

Commercial burning & special situations

The original page also covered these activities. Each has conditions beyond an ordinary residential brush pile.

Land clearing, land management & commercial waste

Land-clearing fires must be at least 500 feet from an occupied residence on another property. Commercial-waste burning must be at least 500 feet from an occupied structure on another property.

Prescribed forest, crop, or range management has separate requirements. Air-curtain incinerator requirements depend on the activity and location; check the current rules before starting.

Transported material & air-curtain incinerators

Do not assume you can accept someone else’s waste or move debris to another property for burning. Eligible materials, location restrictions, equipment requirements, and transport exceptions are specified in Sections 252:100-13-8 and 13-8.1.

The transported-material provision includes a 90-day burning limit and a maximum volume of 10,000 cubic feet where that provision applies. Air-curtain equipment must meet applicable state and federal requirements.

Fire training, hazard removal & other specialized burning

Structure burns for fire training require inspection and removal of specified hazardous materials, including asbestos, asphalt, and lead-containing materials. Federal asbestos rules include inspection and notification requirements.

Hazard-removal burning requires prior authorization from the local fire chief; hazardous-material disposal also requires DEQ authorization. Hydrocarbon disposal or flaring and certain medical-marijuana plant refuse have separate, limited provisions. Contact the department and DEQ before planning these activities.

Need help with your specific burn?

For notification or questions about your location and activity, call the station at 918-266-6063, Option 1. For an uncontrolled fire or another emergency, call 911.

Official rules & reference documents

This guide makes the main topics easier to find. The applicable rules, local restrictions, and current burn-ban orders govern your activity.

DEQ guidance & current air-quality rules ↗EPA’s published open-burning provisions ↗

Guide reviewed October 18, 2026.