ALBANY (AP) New York state officials are reminding residents about brush burning restrictions.
The Department of Environmental Conservation says residential brush burning in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents is banned starting Wednesday through May 14.
Open burning of brush and debris is the most common cause of spring wildfires in New York. With warmer and drier weather forecast, experts believe conditions for wildfires will be higher in the coming weeks.
Right now, northern New York is considered at low risk for wildfires, though the Hudson Valley and Long Island are experiencing moderate risk conditions.
State officials recommend alternatives to brush burning, like using wood chippers.
