Dry Summer Increases Risk for Wildfires
New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos
today urged New Yorkers to practice the utmost safety when building
campfires this summer. Dry weather throughout June and July has increased
the risk of fires.
"The sunny, summer
weather is giving people ample opportunity to enjoy New York's outdoors,
but it's also increasing the risk for fires," Commissioner Seggos
said. "When building a campfire, please make
sure to always keep an eye on it and pay attention to the wind. And when
finished, make sure the fire is fully out and cold to the touch."
The
majority of the state remains at a moderate risk for fires, meaning
that any outdoor fire can spread quickly, especially if the wind picks
up. Campfires are among the top five causes of wildfires (PDF).
DEC continues to encourage
New Yorkers and visitors to follow the recommendations below to reduce
the risk of wildfires.
While camping in the
backcountry, New Yorkers are advised to:
·
Use existing campfire rings where possible;
·
Build campfires away from overhanging
branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, and leaves. Pile
extra wood away from the fire;
·
Clear the area around the ring of leaves,
twigs, and other flammable materials;
·
Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a
small breeze could cause the fire to spread quickly; and
·
Drown the fire with water. Make sure all
embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks as there may be burning embers underneath.
Fire safety tips for burning
wood or brush:
·
Never burn on a windy day;
·
Check and obey all local laws and ordinances;
·
Burn early in the morning when humidity
is high and winds are low;
·
Clear all flammable material for a
distance of 10 to 15 feet around the fire;
·
Keep piles to be burned small, adding
small quantities of material as burning progresses;
·
Always have a garden hose, shovel, water
bucket, or other means to extinguish the fire close at hand; and
·
When done, drown the fire with water,
making sure all materials, embers, and coals are wet.
Do not burn household trash:
·
Burning trash is prohibited statewide in
all cases. Incinerator rules prohibit burning household trash in wood
stoves, fireplaces, and outdoor wood boilers;
·
DEC recommends recycling
all appropriate materials (such as newspaper, paper,
glass, and plastic) and composting
organic kitchen and garden waste;
·
Burning leaves is also banned in New York
State. DEC encourages composting
of leaves; and
·
Disposal of flags or religious items in a
small-sized fire is allowed if it is not otherwise prohibited by law or
regulation.
For information on open
burning and campfire safety in New York, go to DEC's Open Burning in New York and Fire
Safety When Camping webpages.
For further questions about
wildfires, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS and call 911 to report a wildfire.
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