Orange County Implements Burn Ban Due to Dry Conditions
Open debris burning is identified as the primary cause of wildfires in New York state, as per officials.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus has issued an executive order on Oct. 28 to prohibit specific burning activities in order to prevent wildfires.
Neuhaus stated in a release, “The beautiful, dry weather we have been experiencing carries a consequence. Over the past week, numerous brush fires have occurred in the region.
These fires pose a threat to the public and our first responders, and it is essential to take action to reduce these risks while environmental conditions are conducive to fire spread.”
The executive order restricts almost all outdoor burning activities except those explicitly permitted by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), including yard waste burning, bonfires, campfires, and warming fires. Outdoor fireplaces and chimneys are also included in the ban.
Exceptions include burning activities for firefighter training and outdoor cooking in contained gas or charcoal grills, according to the order.
Violations of the executive order are considered Class B misdemeanors as per state laws.
Open debris burning is identified as the primary cause of wildfires in New York state, according to the DEC.
The fire raged for three days, devouring 350 acres, and was eventually extinguished after continuous efforts from 40 fire departments in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
DEC points out that wildfires can ignite and spread rapidly with dried debris and leaves from the previous autumn in warm temperatures, exacerbated by winds and lack of green vegetation.
The DEC recommends that New York residents check the fire danger levels in their local areas using the agency’s online rating map before planning any fires.
To report a wildfire, call 1-833-NYS-Rangers (1-833-697-7264) or get in touch with a forest ranger in your locality.
