Greene County ban on open burning extended

On Sept. 22, a local emergency was declared by the President of the Board of Commissioners of Greene County, Nathan Abrams, in an executive order. This order placed a ban on open burning. As of Sept. 28, the conditions that led to the executive order have not subsided, therefore, the countywide temporary prohibition on open burning has been extended through October 20.

Open burning is described as using conventional fuels such as wood, brush, paper, debris or other combustible material in a way where the products of combustion are emitted into the air without being conducted through a stack, chimney, duct or pipe.

This includes; above ground or underground smoldering fires, the throwing of matches, ashes, or burning materials from a vehicle, campfires and other recreational fires, burn barrels, vegetation debris, construction debris and any other form of burning combustible materials in open air.

Exceptions to this order include; campfires and other recreational fires contained in a fire ring at least 23 inches in diameter and at least 10 inches high or higher, burning charcoal briquettes, hardwood or propane in a confined grill, burn barrels completely covered with a metal mesh cover with a grate opening no larger than 1/4” from dawn until dusk.

Residents of Greene County found in violation of this order could be charged a fine up to $2,500 per violation.