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DEC Reminds New Yorkers That Annual Statewide Residential
Brush Burning Ban Starts March 16
Published: March 14, 2025 at
04:45 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Reminds New Yorkers: Statewide Residential Brush
Burning Prohibition Starts March 16
Annual Spring Burn Ban Reduces Wildfire Risks,
Protects Lives and Property
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda
Lefton today announced the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential
brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14. Since
2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to prevent wildfires
and protect communities and first responders during heightened conditions
for wildfires.
“Prevention is
best, and after a dry and windy winter season, DEC is encouraging New
Yorkers to protect themselves and their communities by complying with the
State’s two-month burn ban that starts this Sunday, March 16,” Acting
Commissioner Lefton said. “As the seasons change, melting snow
leaves behind dead leaves and brush more likely to catch fire and put our
communities and natural resources at risk. In addition to protecting land
and structures, the burn ban keeps DEC Forest Rangers and other firefighters
safe and ready to respond to emergencies.”
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, too often have to
leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal
debris fires. DEC continually updates a Fire Danger Map on DEC's website as a resource to
view local conditions.
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 in homes
and communities, 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).
DEC released a
new Public Service Announcement to help spread the word about
the annual burn ban, available for download here.
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