Spring Burn Ban in Effect

Dear Residents of the Town of Ausable,

As spring arrives in our beautiful North Country community, I want to share an important reminder from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) about open burning regulations. The annual statewide prohibition on residential brush burning is now in effect, starting March 16, 2026, and continuing through May 14, 2026.

This seasonal ban helps reduce the risk of wildfires during a time when dry conditions, warming temperatures, and windy weather can quickly turn small fires into larger threats. Open burning of debris has been the leading cause of spring wildfires in New York State, so this measure protects our homes, forests, wildlife, and first responders.

What This Means for You

• Prohibited during this period: Burning brush, downed limbs, branches, yard waste, or similar residential debris. This applies statewide, including right here in the Town of Ausable.
• The ban focuses on residential brush burning and does not affect agricultural lands (where certain on-site burning of organic agricultural wastes remains allowed year-round, under specific rules).

What Remains Allowed (Year-Round, with Limits)

You can still enjoy safe, small outdoor fires for recreation or cooking:

• Campfires, small cooking fires, or backyard fire pits: Limited to no more than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width, or diameter.
• Use only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, unpainted wood.
• Always attend the fire, keep it under control, and fully extinguish it when done.

Note: Burning garbage, trash, leaves (including loose piles), tires, treated wood, plastics, or any refuse is prohibited year-round across the state—no exceptions.

Special Note for Our Area

The Town of Ausable is in a designated “Fire Town” within the Adirondack Park region (Clinton County/DEC Region 5). This means additional local rules may apply outside the spring ban period. For brush burning allowed at other times of the year (outside March 16–May 14), a permit from the DEC or Town Clerk is typically required in our town. Always check with local fire officials or the DEC before planning any open burning.

For the most up-to-date details, visit the DEC’s open burning page: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/air-quality/open-burning. You can also review the recent press release for more context: https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2026/3/dec-reminds-new-yorkers-statewide-residential-brush-burning-prohibition-starts-march-16.

If you have questions or need to report a concern, contact your local fire department, the DEC Region 5 office, or call the DEC info line at 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267).

Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe and our air clean this spring. Let’s enjoy the season responsibly!

Best regards,
-Tim