NEW YORK (WBNG) – As dry conditions continue, a statewide burn ban is in effect to make sure a small spark doesn’t become a bigger issue.
The Department of Conservation, or DEC, has placed the state under a “high” fire risk, meaning that unattended fires are likely to spread, potentially very quickly.
“The burn ban is a proactive measure; we’re already at much drier levels than we normally are this time of year. We did have quite a few fires last fall, and going into this fall’s fire season, we’re drier than we were last year,” said Forest Ranger Captain Scott Jackson, DEC Fire Management Officer.
DEC rangers say they’ve already responded to several fires, many of which were started by burning debris or unattended campfires.
Autumn leaves could be contributing to the problem, adding fuel to the ground for potential fires.
Small fires, like backyard fire pits and barbecues, are still allowed during the burn ban, but officials ask that you keep a close eye on them.
“You do want to make sure, as anytime, that you remove any flammable material from around the area of the fire pit and have a plan on how you can put a fire out were it to escape, whether that’s having some water on hand or some hand tools like a rake or shovel,” said Jackson.
If you do start a fire, officials urge you to use caution. If it’s windy, take extra precautions, as wind can catch a spark and ignite a fire somewhere far from where the fire started.
For more information, visit the Department of Environmental Conservation’s website.
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