State environmental regulators are reminding New Yorkers that brush burning is prohibited in towns with less than 20,000 residents until mid-May. Due to the increase risk of fires during spring months, open brush burning is banned until May 14th. New York adopted tougher restrictions on open burning back in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce pollution. Violators are subject to both criminal and civil law enforcement, and face a minimum fine of $500 for their first offense.
