New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials say it’s expected to be another dry spring and outdoor burning of brush is again banned state-wide for a couple months.

Burning for the season is prohibited in towns with less than 20,000 residents but is banned year-round in larger municipalities.

The high-risk wildfire season begins each year March 16th and continues at least until May 15th.

During the period, there are stiffer penalties along with added restrictions.

The state’s burn-ban was revised in 2009 with even stiffer regulations to not only prevent wildfires but help reduce air pollution.

DEC Commissioner Joe Martens says open burning is the larges cause of spring wildfires in New York State.

Campfires using firewood or charcoal and ceremonial fires are still allowed.

Martens says the number of seasonal wildfires in the spring has gone down from 3,297 the year the ban was imposed to 1,425 in 2014.

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