Cook County government requires open burning permits in suburban and unincorporated Cook County to protect life, property, prevent forest fires and false fire alarms. The regulations stipulate the conditions under which open burning may occur. Open burning permits also give authorities prior notice to any burn.
Open burning permits are required, but not limited to the following burning situations:
Prairie Burn
Pan Fire Training
Sectional Building Fires (for training purposes)
Landscape Waste
Air Curtain Incinerator for Landscape Waste
Note: The above list does not cover all burning situations in which an open burning permit is required. For the complete list of the criteria for legal and illegal open burning, please refer to the Cook County Ordinance.