Any waste generated by a business, trade, industry, salvage or demolition operation cannot be burned without a permit issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources or the Carthage Fire Department. Permits will only be considered for untreated wood wastes. Wastes that may not be burned include but are not limited to tires, rubber products, hazardous materials, Styrofoam, plastics, petroleum-based products, demolition waste, treated wood, any asbestos-containing material, or wiring of any kind.

Open Burning of Household Refuse: Open burning of household refuse is allowed provided it originates and is burned on the same premises. This does not apply to mobile home parks or apartment complexes. Residential waste is solid waste produced by routine household activities, such as paper waste and garbage from daily activities. This does not include home remodeling wastes, wastes from home businesses, durable goods such as old appliances, carpets or furniture, tires or other non-routine household waste. Materials such as tires or used oil may not be used to start the fires or burned in fires.

Open Burning of Yard Wastes: Open burning of yard waste is allowed provided it originates and is burned on the same premises. Materials such as tires or used oil may not be used to start the fires or burned in fires. Yard waste includes trees, tree leaves, brush or other vegetation.

Open Burning in Agricultural, Natural Resource or Land Management Operations: Agricultural burning is allowed but without exceptions. Materials such as tires or used oil may not be used to start the fires or burned in fires. Any burning that creates a health hazard, nuisance or produces smoke that impairs visibility for those operating motor vehicles or airplanes is prohibited.

Open Burning in Land Clearing Operations: Open burning of tree trunks, tree limbs and vegetation from land clearing operations is allowed if the burning takes place outside the city limits and at least 200 yards from the nearest inhabited dwelling. Materials such as tires or used oil may not be used to start the fires or burned in fires. Permits containing special conditions may be issued by the Carthage Fire Department or Missouri DNR regional offices.

Open Burning for Recreational Purposes: Campfires and other fires used solely for recreational purposes, ceremonial occasions or for outdoor noncommercial preparation of food are allowed. Fires shall include only vegetative woody materials or untreated wood products.

Before doing any open burning, please contact the Carthage Fire Department at 417-237-7100.