UPDATE: Woodgate Fire Chief Sege warns residents to avoid burning at all costs amidst dangerously dry conditions

It is not very common for a burn ban to be in effect for New York State during the month of November, but this year for 2024 is an exception to that.

Just recently, New York State enacted a burn ban effective through November 30.

Although several parts of the North Country region endured numerous torrential rains and staggering precipitation records over the spring and summer, there are several other parts of the state and Northeast in general that were very dry and that pattern has continued, so far, through the fall.

Emergency agencies have been battling wildfires in the southeastern part of the state and amidst this ongoing dry spell, local fire officials throughout the North Country are concerned. 

The current burn ban prohibits the starting of outdoor fires statewide for purposes of brush and debris disposal, as well as un-contained 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.

With that said, Woodgate Fire Chief, Anthony Sege, is encouraging folks to go a step beyond the order and hold off on any and all legal burns (campfires) under the verbiage via the current Governor's order. 

"I would ask people to use some caution, use some extra caution, some extra common sense and considerations," the fire chief told us.

"I understand people sometimes want to have an outdoor burn, but wait, let's wait, let's hold off on that because of the possibilities. All it takes is one little ember to be blown by the wind and land into a wooded area, or even grass, and it will take-off so fast you won't be able to stop it."

Listen to our latest on-air coverage for more details:

Anthony Sege image via Woodgate Volunteer Fire Department.