The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs is reminding residents of a two months statewide ban on outdoor fires through Sunday, May 14.
It notes that according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, open burning is the single greatest cause of wildfires in New York State, adding that since the spring burn ban was implemented in 2009, the number of wildfires has decreased by more than 40 percent.
Open burning is prohibited in NYS, with some exceptions, including:
— Camp fires or any other outdoor fires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter.
— Small cooking fires.
— Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires. 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.
Further information and additional exceptions are available at https://on.ny.gov/3iehWWk.
Allegany County fire departments already have experienced multiple brush fires which have burned many acres due to earlier spring-like weather, combined with high winds.