DEC Contact: Erica Ringewald (518) 402-8000 May 25, 2018
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DEC SHARES TIPS TO AVOID STARTING WILDFIRESNew York’s Burn Ban Ended May 14; Several Open Burning Regulations Still in Effect |
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Residents Encouraged to Follow State and Local Burning Laws, Use Caution The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) advised today that although the State’s ban on brush burning ended May 14, several open burning regulations are still in effect across New York State year-round. Residents are encouraged to use caution when burning brush and other legal materials. In urban and suburban areas of New York, it is illegal to conduct open burning. It is also illegal to burn garbage, leaves, and leaf piles in New York State year-round. Residents of towns with fewer than 20,000 residents may burn brush and tree limbs unless prohibited by local law. In towns where the population exceeds 20,000, brush burning is not allowed at any time.
DEC encourages residents to mulch or compost brush along with other yard waste. In rural areas brush piles can provide habitat for wildlife. DEC recommends these fire safety tips when burning:
When planning any of fires allowed, residents are encouraged to check the DEC Fire Danger Map rating forecast daily for the 2018 fire season on its website and on the NY Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife App available on the DEC website. Currently, fire conditions in the state are at moderate risk. DEC Forest Rangers assisted fire departments to extinguish 43 wildfires during the ban period March 16 through May 14, 2018. These fires burned a total of 88 acres, and 12 of them (28 percent) were caused by a debris fire growing out of control. In 2009, the year before the ban was instituted, DEC Forest Rangers extinguished 61 fires (46 percent of all fires) caused by debris burning that burned a total of 209 acres. For more information on opening burning, visit DEC’s websites https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/58519.html and https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/air_pdf/factsheet.pdf. |
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