New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton recently announced that the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins on March 16 and runs through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities and first responders during heightened conditions for wildfires.
“Prevention is best, and after a dry and windy winter season, DEC is encouraging New Yorkers to protect themselves and their communities by complying with the State’s two-month burn ban that starts this Sunday, March 16,” Acting Commissioner Lefton said.
“As the seasons change, melting snow leaves behind dead leaves and brush more likely to catch fire and put our communities and natural resources at risk. In addition to protecting land and structures, the burn ban keeps DEC Forest Rangers and other firefighters safe and ready to respond to emergencies.”…