Warren County Office of Emergency Services is reminding Warren County residents that New York State’s annual spring “burn ban” is in effect from Saturday, March 16, 2024 through Tuesday, May 14, 2024. A lack of snow over the winter has resulted in dry, flammable leaves and brush being revealed earlier in the year this year than during 2023.
New York State’s burn ban is put in place each year to lessen the chance of wildfires, and since the annual springtime ban was implemented in 2009, New York State has experienced 42% fewer wildfires annually.
Still, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers and fire companies annually respond to and extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres, with 95% of them resulting from human causes.
Warren County Fire Coordinator Ralph Bartlett said: “The deficit of precipitation in the form of snow and rain last fall and during the winter has resulted in an early fire hazard from grass and brush fires. Due to the weather conditions commonly found in early spring, and the lack of moisture in leaves, grass, and brush, fires can spread quickly. Spring winds tend to accelerate the spread of fires. Please abide by the New York State burn ban to avert unintended consequences in our communities.”
Bartlett urged that those who spot unattended fires call 911 if there appears to be an emergency, or use non-emergency phone numbers to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office (518-743-2500) or NYS DEC (518-897-1303) if the situation does not appear to be an emergency.
New York State regulations ban both open burning and burning in barrels.
Open burning is prohibited year-round in towns with more than 20,000 residents, such as Queensbury, as well as all villages such as Lake George and cities such as Glens Falls. Smoke contains particulates, known as soot, and gasses, such as carbon monoxide, that are hazardous to health.
When the burn ban is not in effect, residents in towns with population of under 20,000 may burn tree limbs with attached leaves. The limbs must be less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length (also referred to as brush). Burning loose leaves or leaf piles is illegal. Those seeking to burn materials outside of the burn ban period are required to get a permit from the NYS DEC and should make notification when initiating a fire. Find more details here.
New York State has the following exceptions for open burning:
- Camp fires or any other outdoor fires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed.
- Small cooking fires are allowed.
- Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed. Disposal of flags or religious items in a small-sized fire is allowed, if it is not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.
- Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.
- Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.
Warren County Office of Emergency Services asks that residents follow New York State DEC guidelines for campfire safety, detailed here. It is illegal to burn household garbage and leaves any time of year under New York State law, as denoted here.
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