County fire officials remind residents to follow open burning regulations

CHENANGO COUNTY – County fire officials are urging residents – particularly those who live in rural areas – to adhere to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s open burning regulations, which prohibits open fires between March 15 and May 15. A number of grass and brush fires have been reported over the past two weeks across the county, including fires in the towns of Norwich, Plymouth, Smithville, North Norwich, Preston, Oxford and – on Monday – South Otselic and Smyrna.
Due to the mild winter and lack of snowfall, there is a significant amount of dead, dry, longstanding grass still present in many areas, reported Chenango Bureau of Fire Deputy Fire Coordinator Michael Beckwith. The conditions, he added, are perfect for fires to start with just a small spark. The Plymouth, Sherburne and Smyrna fire departments responded to yesterday’s Smyrna fire, located on Boos Law Road, which quickly spread across acres of field and disturbingly close to several homes and structures.
And while the cause of yesterday’s fire is unknown, according to fire officials, there had been a case of open burning nearby the day before.
“This means no outside burning of any kind can take place,” said Beckwith of the DEC regulations. “The Chenango County Bureau of Fire is strongly urging residents to follow this ban.”
According to Marie Kovacs, who lives at 1003 Boos Law Road, the speed at which yesterday’s fire spread was astonishing.
“My friend saw the field behind the house in flames ... we were in the house one second and fifteen minutes later, [the field] was on fire,” said Kovacs. “Everyone’s safe, although it did get really close to several homes and our barn.”
Beckwith said these types of fires can spread quickly out of control, causing damage to surrounding grass and woodland areas, and homes. He also stressed that anyone starting an outside fire while the ban is in effect could be held liable for damages caused by that fire.
According to the DEC, open burning is prohibited in New York State except as follows:
• Barbecue grills, maple sugar arches and similar outdoor cooking devices, using only propane, charcoal or untreated wood.
• Small cooking and camp fires, using only untreated wood.
• On-site burning of limbs and branches is allowed between May 15 and the following March 15 in any town with a total population less than 20,000.
• On-site burning of organic agricultural wastes, but not pesticides, plastics or other non-organic material, on certain agricultural lands.
• Liquid petroleum fueled smudge pots to prevent frost damage to crops.
• Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires.
• Disposal of a flag or religious items.
• Burning on an emergency basis of explosive or other dangerous or contraband by police.
• Prescribed burns performed according to state regulations.
• Fire training with some restrictions on the use of acquired structures.
• Individual open fires to control plant and animal disease outbreaks as approved by DEC upon the request by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets.
• Open fires as necessary to control invasive plant and insect species.
Burning household trash is prohibited statewide in all cases and the DEC’s existing incinerator rule prohibits burning household trash in wood stoves, fireplaces and outdoor wood boilers. Leaf piles cannot be burned. The DEC recommends that you recycle all appropriate materials, including newspaper, paper, glass and plastic, and compost your organic kitchen and garden waste.
According to the DEC, the open burning of household trash releases dangerous compounds including arsenic, carbon monoxide, benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, lead, hydrogen cyanide and dioxin, among others. Open burning is also the single greatest cause of wildfires in New York State.
To report environmental law violations, call 1-800-847-7332.

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