Despite recent rain and snowfall, a statewide burn ban remains in effect in New York, including the Hudson Valley region, until Saturday. The ban, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, prohibits the burning of materials such as brush and debris. While campfires and small cooking fires are permitted, they must not be left unattended and must be fully extinguished after use. The ban comes in response to a series of wildfires that have ravaged thousands of acres of land in recent weeks.
The largest of these fires, the Jennings Creek/Sterling State Park wildfire, has spread across 5,000 acres, half of which is in New York, and is only 10 percent contained in both states. Another fire in the Town of Denning, Ulster County, is 95 percent contained within 630 acres. The fires have prompted a multi-agency response, including local fire departments and first responders, as well as the deployment of resources from the New York State Police and National Guard according to the Governor's official website.
The burn ban is a precautionary measure due to the state's ongoing drought conditions and increased fire risk. Governor Hochul urged residents to heed the warnings and take necessary precautions to ensure safety. "As we experience drought conditions and an increased fire risk across the State, now is not the right time to be burning outdoors," Hochul said in a statement.