Sheriff’s Office Reminds Residents of Statewide Burn Ban

Poughkeepsie, NY – The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone who lives and works in Dutchess County that the annual statewide burn ban is in effect through May 14th.

Today, the National Weather Service issued an alert indicating that dry weather, sunshine, humidity levels between 15 and 30 percent and northwest winds occasionally gusting to around 20 mph is expected. All these parameters support an elevated risk of fire spread, especially from late morning through the afternoon.

The Sheriff’s Office Fire & Arson Investigation Unit is asking people to comply with the law and to adhere to the statewide ban that prohibits residential brush burning. Compliance will reduce the risk of fire and improve community safety.

Yesterday, multiple Dutchess County fire departments fought brush fires. Dutchess County is fortunate for the service that our career and volunteer firefighters provide. Everyone must take the necessary precautions to prevent these fires from starting. These fires not only endanger life and property but also put our firefighters and EMS providers at increased risk. The Sheriff’s Office Fire & Arson Investigation Unit will continue to coordinate with the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response and local fire departments to provide assistance as needed.

For additional information regarding the burn ban, please visit the NYS DEC website: https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/58519.html.

To report a fire or other emergency, call 911 immediately. For general police assistance, call the Sheriff’s Office at 845-486-3800.