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DEC Reminds Residents That Statewide Annual Residential
Brush Burning Ban is in Effect Through May 14
Published: March 16, 2024 at
09:00 a.m.
By: Press Release from NYS DEC
DEC Reminds New Yorkers: Annual Residential Brush
Burning Prohibition Starts March 16
Spring Burn Ban Reduces Wildfire Risks, Protects
Lives and Property
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded New Yorkers of the start of the
annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning. Since 2009, DEC
enforces the annual brush burning ban from March
16 through May 14 to prevent wildfires and protect communities during
heightened conditions for wildfires.
“Last month, DEC
encouraged everyone to be extra vigilant when burning brush because of the
risk for wildfires caused by early dry conditions, but starting this
Saturday, March 16, it will be illegal to burn brush for the next two
months,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Due
to the drier and warmer winter, New York State is at a greater risk for
wildfires this spring. This ban is essential to protecting communities and
natural resources, as well as the Rangers and other firefighters called to
extinguish the wildfires.”
Even though some
areas of the state remain blanketed in snow, warming temperatures can
quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise. Open
burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New
York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall's debris and leaves
dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and
a lack of green vegetation. Each year, DEC Forest Rangers extinguish dozens
of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres. In addition, local fire
departments, many of which are staffed by volunteers, all too often have to leave their jobs and families to respond to
wildfires caused by illegal debris fires. DEC’s Fire Danger Map for the 2024 fire season displays
each region’s potential fire risk.
New York first
enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent
wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush
fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring when most
wildfires occur. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in
height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are
small cooking fires. Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted
wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and
must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in
New York State. For more information about fire safety and prevention, go
to DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage.
Some towns,
primarily in and around the Adirondack and Catskill parks, are designated
"fire towns." Open burning is prohibited year-round in these
municipalities unless an individual or group has a permit from DEC. To find
out whether a municipality is a designated fire town or to obtain a permit,
contact the appropriate DEC regional office. A list of regional offices is available on DEC's
website.
Forest Rangers,
DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs), and local
authorities enforce the burn ban. Violators of the State's open burning
regulation are subject to criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a
minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. For search and rescue, reporting
a wildfire or illegal activity on state lands and easements, call
1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264). To report environmental law violations,
call 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267).
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