Ohio refines campfire rules for backyards: State no longer makes food-only requirement; Akron's rule is stricter.

Byline: Bob Downing

Oct. 21--Ohio has new rules on backyard campfires. Recreational fires including campfires, outdoor kettles, portable pits and chimineas are permitted with two restrictions under the new rules approved by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Those restrictions are:

--The fire's total area can be no bigger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, although you can refuel as often as you want. --Only clean, seasoned firewood or a fuel cleaner than seasoned firewood such as commercial processed logs can be used. The previous state law allowed outdoor fires only when one was "cooking for human consumption" and such fires were …