By Forum Staff
Governor Kathy Hochul, with the State Department of Environmental Conservation, on Thursday announced a statewide burn ban in effect starting Oct. 2 due to increased fire risk and continued dry conditions. The ban will be in effect for 14 days from Oct. 2 to Oct. 15 and will be revaluated prior to expiration.
New Yorkers can help prevent fires in communities and in the backcountry by complying with the prohibition on most outdoor fires and protect water supplies by continuing to conserve water whenever possible.
The statewide burn ban now in effect prohibits the starting of outdoor fires for purposes of brush and debris disposal, as well as all uncontained fires, including campfires, and open fires used for cooking. Backyard fire pits and contained campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width or diameter are allowed, as are small, contained cooking fires. Burning garbage or leaves is already prohibited year-round in New York State and several municipalities have burn bans currently in effect.
The dry weather also factors into the drought warning in effect for 12 counties in the Adirondack and Southern Tier regions. A drought watch remains in effect for the rest of the state except for New York City and Westchester County. View a map of New York State Drought Conditions by visiting DEC’s website.
The State is encouraging all residents, including those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks.
There are four levels of State drought advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. There are no mandatory State restrictions under a drought watch or warning. A warning declaration is a notice of impending and imminent severe drought conditions and includes increasing public awareness and voluntary water conservation. Public water supply purveyors and industries are urged to continue to implement local drought contingency plans.
To protect water resources, water users are encouraged to voluntarily reduce outdoor water use and follow these tips:
- Water lawns only when necessary, choose watering methods that avoid waste, and water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and maximize soil hydration;
- Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers or air conditioners to water plants;
- Raise lawn mower cutting heights. Longer grass is healthier with stronger roots and needs less water;
- Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks;
- Fix leaking pipes, hoses and faucets;
- Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry;
- Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub partly;
- Install water saving plumbing fixtures;
- Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold; and
- Wash cars less frequently.
The public can contact their local water system for information about drought preparedness, impacts and response notices and activities. Additional tips for the public on water conservation can also be found in each water system’s Annual Water Quality Report.
Water system contact information and AWQRs can be accessed using the Know Your NY Water website or water systems own websites.
