REPORT: Statewide burn ban in New York effective through November 30
ALBANY, NY- The office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul says a statewide burn ban is currently in effect through November 30 as the Northeast continues struggling amidst a prolonged dry spell.
Currently, there are numerous agencies battling wildfires in the southeastern part of the state. “As we experience drought conditions and an increased fire risk across the State, now is not the right time to be burning outdoors, and I urge everyone to heed our warnings as we continue to take the necessary precautions to keep all New Yorkers safe,” the Governor said.
The current burn ban prohibits the starting of outdoor fires statewide for purposes of brush and debris disposal, as well as uncontained campfires, and open fires used for cooking.
Backyard fire pits and contained campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small, contained cooking fires.
Orange County Jennings Creek/Sterling Forest State Park:
The main fire co-located in New York and New Jersey is now estimated at 5000 acres, including 2,500 acres on the New York side, and is 10 percent contained (as of this publication).
This includes acreage that is actively burning and acreage that has already been burned. Tragically, a New York State Parks employee lost his life responding to this fire.
A second 42-acre fire is located near West Mombasha Road and the Appalachian Trail and is contained. New York officials are working in close coordination with New Jersey officials.
Whitehouse Fire:
The fire in the Town of Denning, Ulster County is 95 percent contained (as of this report) within 630 acres.
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers are coordinating the response. Twelve rangers worked on the fire with the unified command of Sullivan and Ulster County 911 Centers and volunteer fire departments.
Twenty fire departments provided over 185 firefighters with apparatus from engines, brush trucks, tankers, bull dozers and UTV's.
Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
