DEC: Brush Burning Ban in effect through May 15

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens has announced that all residential brush burning is prohibited in smaller communities during the state’s historically high fire-risk period from March 16 through May 15th.

Also, DEC Forest Rangers, County Emergency Management Services, and local fire departments are notifying the public that the National Weather Service has declared a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Northern New York during this time period. Several factors enable wildfires to start easily and spread quickly during this time, including the lack of green vegetation, abundance of available fuels such as dry grass and leaves, warm temperatures and wind.Some towns are designated “fire towns” primarily in and around the Adirondack Park and Catskill Park. Under the Environmental Conservation Law, open burning is prohibited in these municipalities without a written permit from DEC.

Open burning is prohibited at any time in these municipalities.

To find out whether a town is a designated “Fire Town” and/or to obtain a permit, parties should contact a DEC regional office.

For a directory of the DEC Regional Offices, visit the DEC website.

Violators of the open burning state regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense.

To report environmental law violations call 1-800- TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332), or report online on DEC’s website.

A list of questions and answers on the open burning regulation is available on DEC’s website.

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