Now that it is March, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding residents its annual statewide ban prohibiting brush burning goes into effect later this month.
Forest Ranger Lieutenant Timothy Carpenter says there is a greater concern for fires this year because there is little or no snowpack.
“Normally, we have a snowpack that kind of compresses the fuel and makes it not as available to burn, but without the snowpack, our fuels are much more readily available,” said Carpenter. “They dry out quicker, especially on sunny windy days. So, the concern is that, without that snowpack, we might have an earlier fire season.”
First enacted in 2009, the ban seeks to prevent wildland fires when there are heightened conditions for wildfires.
“While we’re seeing record breaking fires in Texas right now, we’re also at a higher risk here in New York,” Commissioner Seggos said. “Before the annual burn ban goes into effect next month, we’re encouraging New Yorkers who burn woody debris to do it carefully, don’t burn on windy days, and have water or equipment ready to extinguish it if needed. All fires must be attended until completely out.”
The burning ban begins on March 16 and runs through May 14.
