open burn

An open burn, a violation of the municipal code, is reported in the city at the corner of Swan and Ellicott streets. City fire and police are responding.

Someone is reportedly burning rubber and construction materials on property at the northeast corner of Walkers Corner Road and Caswell Road in Byron.

Byron Fire Department is responding, along with law enforcement and a representative from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

A fairly dry winter and an apparently early spring does increase the wild fire danger, and local residents should be especially mindful of the state's open burn regulations from now through May 14, said Tim Yaeger, coordinator for Genesee County Emergency Services.

This time of year, you can't burn leaves, you can't burn brush, you can't burn twigs and branches, you can't burn any other kind of organic material (and you can never burn non-organic material).

The only outdoor fire allowed right now is a small cooking fire that is closely monitored and maintained.

If a fire is spotted, emergency dispatch will be called, a fire company will respond and you could be fined.

"Law enforcement can be called and the fee is significant for those who burn illegally," Yaeger said.

Fires that get out of control -- which is easy in these conditions -- put property and lives at risk.

"During the burn ban time, our goal is to save lives and property," Yaeger said. "That's our biggest concern, that we don't have any property that's not intended to burn, burn, and we don't put any of the public or the firefighters at risk when these fires are preventable."

Leaves, especially, should not be burned, Yaeger said. The embers from such a fire can blow well beyond the fire area and ignite brush and wooded areas, creating potentially fast moving fires.

"We encourage people to compost their leaves," Yaeger said.

Once May 15 passes, organic matter can be burned in the rural parts of the county, and people can once again have small campfires (three feet high and four feet in width or diameter) and ceremonial or celebratory bonfires, but all fires must be attended and monitored.

Certain agricultural waste fires -- organic material -- are also permitted.

At no time can people burn inorganic material.

Last week Yaeger was at a meeting with the state's emergency coordinator and Yeager said the message was that "unsettled weather patterns" create a number of dangers for state residents.

Wind-whipped fire is one matter, but significant storms, even tornadoes are not out of the question.

"There's been some odd weather patterns in the Midwest," Yaeger said. "We hope nothing will occur, but with the weather patterns we're seeing, we must be concerned that we might get some unsettled weather this season."

If you spot a fire, the number to call is (585) 343-5000 or if an emergency situation call 9-1-1.