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.
