The Brewster Fire Department is cautioning residents that there's a ban on residential brush burning through May 14th.  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the prohibition to reduce wildfire risk in an effort to protect lives and property.  The annual statewide residential brush burning ban comes at a time when most wildfires occur. 

Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in New York State.  Wildfires can spread easily and be further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation.

In 2020, DEC Forest Rangers extinguished 192 wildfires that burned a total of more than 1,122 acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are volunteer, all too often have to leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires.