Firefighters hose down a wildfire north of Tupper Lake on May 4, 2015. Fire officials said at the time they thought the blaze was caused by people burning things at a remote hunting camp, even though a statewide burn ban was on at the time and it was a dry, windy day. (Enterprise photo — Tom Salitsky)

Fire danger may not be at the top of Adirondack residents’ minds right now, given the amount of snow on the ground. But spring is coming, and that’s when most wildfires occur, as last year’s dead leaves, brush and grass dry out.

Therefore, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning will begin Tuesday, March 16 and run through May 14.

“While wildfires are more visible in the western part of the country, the start of spring brings an increased risk of wildfires right here in New York,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in a press release.

DEC will post a Fire Danger Map rating for the 2021 fire season on DEC’s website once there is a moderate risk anywhere in the state.

Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in New York state, according to the DEC. The past fall’s dried-out debris and leaves add fuel, wind spreads the flames, and there is little green vegetation to slow it.

In 2020, DEC said its forest rangers extinguished 192 wildfires that burned a total of more than 1,122 acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are volunteer, often have to leave jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires.

New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur. Campfires using charcoal or untreated wood are allowed, but DEC says people should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round. For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC’s FIREWISE New York website.

Some towns, primarily in and around the Adirondack and Catskill parks, are designated “fire towns.” Open burning is prohibited year-round in these municipalities unless an individual or group has a permit from DEC. To find out whether a municipality is a designated fire town or to obtain a permit, contact the appropriate DEC regional office. A list of regional offices is available on DEC’s website.

Forest rangers, DEC environmental conservation police officers (ECOs), and local authorities enforce the burn ban. Violators are subject to a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. To report environmental law violations call 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332), or report online on DEC’s website.