NEW YORK STATE – In an effort to curtail any spring wildfires once the snow melts, the Department of Environmental Conservation issued a reminder to New Yorkers Wednesday that residential brush burning is banned from March 16 to May 14.

DEC Commissioner Basic Seggos said, “While many people associate wildfires with the western United States, the start of spring weather and the potential for dry conditions increases the risk for wildfires in New York.”

The number one cause of spring wildfires in the state is the open burning of debris, according to the DEC.