New York's open burn ban goes into effect a week from today, March 16th. Today, so far firemen in Columbia County have been on the scene of four brush fires.
The first one was in Ancram, on state land off County Route 7. That one began after a controlled burn, got out of hand.
The second was in Kinderhook, after a downed power line on Merwin Lake road, started a fire.
The third, on Hover Avenue in Germantown started when a controlled burn got out of hand.
The latest, so far, was on White Bridge Road in the town of Chatham. The homeowner apparently dumped hot ashes in the yard, which set off the fire.
Be careful out there!
The State's burn ban begins next Thursday, according to this release from State DEC:
DEC: Residential Brush Burning in NYS Prohibited Through May 14
Burn Ban has decreased spring wildfires 35 percent since 2009
Ban reduces wildfire risks, protects lives and property
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds residents that with warming temperatures and dry conditions, residential brush burning is prohibited March 16 through May 14 across New York State.
Due to the lack of snow cover over much of the state and with rising temperatures forecasted for the coming weeks, conditions for wildfires could be heightened.
"While many people associate wildfires with the western United States, the early start of spring weather, dry conditions, and lack of snow pack increase the risk for wildfires in New York," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "New York prohibits residential burning during the high-risk fire season to reduce wildfires and protect people, property, and natural resources. The ban has been extremely effective in reducing the number of wildfires, and we're encouraging New Yorkers to put safety first."
DEC will post a Fire Danger Map rating forecast daily for the 2017 fire season on its website and on the NY Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife App available on DEC's website.
Currently, fire conditions in most of the state are low risk.