New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) and Forest Rangers issued 357 tickets for open burning-related charges during the spring statewide open burn ban, according to DEC Commissioner Joe Martens.

DEC issued the tickets during the two-month burn ban that ran from March 16 through May 14.

The charges included 144 violations, 213 misdemeanors and nearly a dozen written warnings for infractions including leaving an unattended fire, burning during the burn ban, unlawful disposal of solid waste (for burning garbage) and setting a fire that endangers the property of another.  Continue reading →