CARMEL, NY – The temporary burn ban implemented by Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne in response to the threat of wildfires due to severely dry conditions has expired. A subsequent state-wide burn ban issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation earlier in November also expired on November 30. Please note that local governments within Putnam County may still have a burn ban in effect. Contact your local municipality to inquire if they have instituted their own ban or restrictions.

The Emergency Declaration and accompanying Executive Order for the burn ban was issued by Putnam County on October 28. Days earlier, a brush fire in Kent had burned 33 acres over six days and necessitated a response from 10 fire agencies and various town and county agencies to successfully contain and control the fire. To put into perspective the strain caused by the dry conditions, between October 23 to November 18, the Putnam County 911 Center received a total of 152 responses from brush fires, open burns, outside smoke conditions, and out of county mutual aid. This included 29 brush fire dispatches and 7 department deployments to neighboring Orange County to aid the large Jennings Creek/Greenwood Lake fire.

“The last six weeks have been a trying time for our local fire departments and first responders,” said County Executive Kevin Byrne. “We owe them all a great thanks for their vigilance, outstanding work, and continued efforts monitoring the situation.”

Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services Commissioner Robert Lipton added, “The dry weather we’ve experienced created trying conditions. It’s been a team effort between our local fire departments, dispatchers, law enforcement and partners at the state to respond and keep the public safe. With that said, I would like to encourage the public to take serious precautions if they choose to plan an outdoor fire or safely burn in accordance with local ordinances. Please visit the National Wildlife Coordinating Group for safety tips at https://www.nwcg.gov/node/34989.”

Further tips and information for responsible burning in New York include:

• Check fire danger levels:

Before starting any fire, consult the fire danger map to ensure it's safe to burn in your area. 

• Only burn approved materials:

Use only dry, untreated wood, like split logs and branches, and never burn trash, plastic, or treated lumber. 

• Campfire size matters:

Keep campfires small, under 3 feet high and 4 feet wide. 

• Clear the area:

Remove flammable debris like leaves and dry grass from around the fire pit. 

• Never leave unattended:

Always have someone actively monitoring the fire and never leave it unattended. 

• Water readily available:

Keep a bucket of water or a readily accessible water source near the fire to quickly extinguish it if needed. 

• "Fire Town" regulations:

Be aware that certain towns in New York are designated as "fire towns" where open burning is heavily restricted or completely prohibited. 

• Local rules are key:

Always check with your local DEC office to confirm specific burning regulations in your area. 

What to avoid when burning in NYS:

• Burning on windy days 
• Burning in areas with dry vegetation 
• Leaving burning embers unattended 
• Using accelerants like gasoline to start a fire 
• Burning in prohibited areas like forests or near buildings without a permit