Burn Ban in Effect March 16-May 14
The State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an outside burn ban from March 16 through May 14. Despite what you may see on the ground right now, this is the busiest time of year for brush and forest fires. According to the US Fire Administration:
“This increase is generally because relative humidity tends to be lower, winds tend to be higher, and, because leaves are still off trees or just beginning to bud, sunlight can directly reach the ground to both warm and dry surface fuels (such as the previous fall’s leaves). Such conditions are favorable for the ignition of dry grass and brush. Although the timing of these conditions may vary from region to region, spring has the highest average daily incidence of outdoor fires, a 17 percent increase over the average.”