Golden's Bridge Fire Department Sounds an Alarm on the Start of Brush Fire Season

By Sarah Morgenstern

Small acts of carelessness with flames can lead to huge and deadly wildfires to spark: especially in the springtime, said Golden's Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo.

"At this time of year, flicking a lit cigarette from a car window could have deadly consequences if it creates a spark on dry brush,” Chief Melillo warned. 

To decrease the high risk for brush fires that springtime brings, on March 16, New York launches its annual “burn ban,” which will last until May 14.

Since 2009, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has enforced the springtime burn ban as part of the state’s efforts to prevent the deadly fires that are often sparked by people carelessly tossing their cigarettes or by outdoor blazes, called "outdoor burning," in which people light fires to dispose of leaves and household garbage.

The state designed open burning restrictions not only to prevent wildfires, but to help reduce air pollution by eliminating that harmful microscopic soot and other chemicals that are unleashed while fires burn and can cause serious problems to people’s health and to the environment.

Springtime is an especially risky time at which wildfires can easily spark and spread because warmer temperatures can cause dried grass, leaves, shrubs, and bushes to catch fire.

“When combined with other elements like wind currents, and the absence of green vegetation, brush fires can easily start and spread quickly," explained Chief Melillo. 

Residents who see smoke or fire along the road or in the brush should do their parts by calling 911, the fire chief said.

“Our timely responses could mean the difference between our firefighters being able to contain and extinguish a brush fire or that fire quickly spreading,” said Chief Melillo.

Photo Credit: Flickr