The day’s major News events, business reports, sports updates, Rochester area weather information and tomorrow’s forecast are presented by the News10NBC Team.
NEW YORK STATE — New York State will begin its annual burn ban on Monday, just one day before St. Patrick’s Day. This ban makes it illegal to burn any brush or debris outdoors across the state.
RELATED: First Alert Weather In-Depth: Why New York enforces a burn Ban each spring
There are exceptions for small campfires, which are allowed if they are no larger than three feet by four feet. State forest rangers explained the reason for the ban during a press conference.
“As recently as this Monday when we had the warmup, and the higher temperatures and low relative humidities, Rangers responded to five fires on Monday. Three of those were from debris burning,” said Capt. Scott Jackson. “So that is part of the reason for this annual ban.”
Violating the burn ban is considered a misdemeanor. Forest rangers said fines start at $500 and can potentially reach thousands more.
The burn ban will remain in effect through May 14.
For more information on preventing pollution and wildfires, visit the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation website here.
For Related Stories: burn ban