Officials state that open debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires in New York state.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus has issued an executive order on Oct. 28 to prohibit specific burning activities in order to prevent wildfires.
Neuhaus emphasized the importance of preventing fires due to the dry weather conditions that have led to numerous brush fires in the region recently.
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Orange County has been rated as having a high-risk level for fire dangers as of Oct. 30.
The National Integrated Drought Information System has classified Orange County as “abnormally dry,” making it more susceptible to fires. September was notably dry, ranking as the eighth driest month in the county over the past 130 years.
The executive order bans almost all outdoor burning activities unless expressly authorized by the Department of Environmental Conservation. This includes burning yard waste, bonfires, campfires, and warming fires. Outdoor fireplaces and chimneys are also prohibited.
Exceptions to the ban include burning activities for firefighter training and outdoor cooking using contained gas or charcoal grills.
Violating the executive order is considered a Class B misdemeanor under state laws.
New York enforces a statewide burn ban between March 16 and May 14 each year to prevent wildfires, as most wildfires occur during this period.
In April, the town of Deerpark experienced one of its largest wildfires in recent history, caused by debris burning. The fire burned for three days, destroying 350 acres before being extinguished with the help of 40 fire departments from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
The DEC advises residents to check fire danger levels in their local areas before planning any outdoor fires and provides an online rating map for reference.
If you spot a wildfire, contact 1-833-NYS-Rangers or reach out to a forest ranger in your area for assistance.
