Interview: New York State DEC talks annual Spring Burn Ban

The aim for New York's annual spring burn ban is to spread awareness to help prevent the spread of wildfires.

That's according to the New York State DEC. As usual, the annual spring burn ban is currently active through May 14. It started March 16.

As New York's snow-pack melts away, dead and dried up grass/vegetation is exposed. There is a bit of a time gap between when the snow melts and when things start greening up and during that time frame, the DEC says there is a real risk for wildfires to spark and spread.

"The open burning of debris is the largest cause of spring wildfires in New York," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. 

"New Yorkers should please abide by this burn ban and wait until the ground greens up and there’s more water in the soil to avoid these kinds of fires."

"Rangers and our partners in the fire service deal with hundreds of fires across the state every year, and for the most part, these can be avoided because they have a human cause," said DEC Forest Ranger Captain Adam Pickett.

"Because the potential exists for such a fast rate of spread and erratic winders, you can get a wind shift, and it could put a lot of people in harm’s way very quickly."

Listen to our latest on-air coverage here:

New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution.

The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur.

Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small cooking fires.

Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them.

Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State.

Image via the New York State DEC.