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Today is the start of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservations annual burn ban. The ban begins today, March 16th and will be in effect until May 14th.
The annual spring burn ban was implemented back in 2009 with the amount of wildfires decreasing over 40% since, according to the DEC.
There are exceptions to the burn ban, those include: camp fires or any other outdoor fire less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, small cooking fires, and ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed (disposal of flags or religious items in a small-sized fire is allowed).
Additionally to the exceptions only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unpainted wood may be burned, and all fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.
Additional details on the burn ban can be found on the DECs website HERE.
