Cincinnati, OH Fire Regulations: Wildfire Zones (2026)

Cincinnati does not have designated wildfire hazard severity zones, wildland-urban interface areas, or state-mandated defensible space requirements. Ohio is not among the states that maintain formal wildfire risk mapping programs comparable to those in California, Colorado, or other western states. The citys location along the Ohio River in a humid continental climate zone with average annual precipitation around 42 inches means vegetation does not typically reach the dry, fire-prone conditions found in arid regions. The Ohio Division of Forestry monitors wildfire conditions statewide and may issue burning advisories during dry periods, but Cincinnati has never been subject to a wildfire evacuation zone or enhanced fire-hardening building requirements. Property owners in Cincinnati are not required to create defensible space, use fire-resistant roofing, or maintain vegetation clearance zones around structures for wildfire purposes. The primary fire risks in Cincinnati relate to structure fires, which are addressed through the Cincinnati Fire Prevention Code under Title XII of the municipal code. Residents concerned about seasonal dry conditions should follow any Ohio EPA or Ohio Division of Forestry burn advisories and ensure compliance with the citys outdoor burning restrictions under OAC 3745-19.