Meteorology Monday (3-24-25): Fire Weather Season
Elmira, N.Y. (WETM)- The annual residential brush burn ban is currently in place for New York State through May 14th. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the annual brush burning ban has been enforced since 2009 to prevent wildfires and protect communities and first responders during heightened conditions for wildfires. On this week's edition of Meteorology Monday, 18 Storm Team Meteorologist Alivia Colon explains why the conditions during this time of year create those elevated fire risks.
Springtime wildfire risks prompt New York's annual burn ban
This time of year sees frequent changes between areas of high and low pressure, and the changes in pressure lead to gusty winds. We know that when low pressure moves in, it can bring strong damaging winds and lightning within thunderstorms. When high-pressure moves in, it brings lowered relative humidity or dry air along with those strong winds. Each of these things can lead to elevated fire concerns, and the frequency of these windy days creates consistently heightened conditions for wildfires to quickly spread, and those conditions can last for several months.
Aside from low humidity and wind, we also need a fuel source. During the spring, we have plenty of dry vegetation all over the ground to act as that fuel. From dried-up brush, twigs, and leaves from the past fall that dried up throughout the winter, all of it can easily catch fire from lightning strikes or cigarette butts, and springtime winds allow it to quickly spread.
According to the DEC, 'open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State', so the burn ban prohibits just that- no open burning on brush, leaves, or debris. There are a few exceptions to the rules, and you can find those details on the DEC website.
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