Spring Fire Safety: Rules For Backyard Burning In Binghamton

New York State has their annual "BURN BAN" beginning on March 15th and it runs through May 15th. You are not supposed to be burning anything at all during that time. After May 15th, you are allowed to burn some things and you can see what is and is not allowed here.

After the ban is over and the weather gets warmer, you may think about having an evening bonfire or firing up the ol' grill in your backyard. So far so good...until the smoke becomes a problem for your neighbor. In fact, you could even end up with a hefty fine in Binghamton..

Be Neighborly and Use Caution

It's all fine and dandy until the smoke starts bothering the people next door. The Town of Binghamton wants you to know that fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.

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As a courtesy, they recommend that you call the Fire Chief at (607) 761-1218 ahead of time to let them know about your burning plans. Being considerate goes a long way in helping to keep the peace. Remember, you should never have an open fire when there is a burn ban that runs from March 15th to May 15th.

Watch Your Smoke

If the smoke from your fire bothers your neighbors they have the right to call the Broome County Sheriff’s Dept at 778-1911 or NYSDEC at 1-800-847-7332 to issue a complaint. If they respond, you might be facing a big fine.

Stay Mindful, Stay Nuisance-Free

The last thing you want is for a relaxing night around the fire to turn into a neighborhood dispute. The next time you plan on lighting a fire in Binghamton, remember to think about the smoke's impact on your neighbors. Better yet, invite them over to your place and they may not call the cops on you.

Firewood Rules In NY State You Should Know

Gallery Credit: Clay Moden

10 Tips To Prevent Wildfires

Smokey The Bear said it best, "only you can prevent wildfires." Well, it's a lot easier said than done, Smokey. Great name for a bear trying to warn us about fire hazards, by the way.

In order to prevent wildfires, you have to first know how they can be prevented. Here are 10 tips provided by the Department Of Interior that will help you in your every day life, so you can enjoy being outside, camping, and having bonfires without it turning into a problem.

Here are their 10 tips, along with some simplified explanations from me.

Gallery Credit: Cort Freeman

Old (Very Old) Upstate NY Firehouses Look to New Life!

This is a fun gallery. We found some very old firehouses scattered across Upstate New York. And we see what they are "up to" today. Some are empty and waiting for a second life. Some have been magically transformed into private residences. Some have been turned into commercial use, such as a brewery or coffee shop. Some are still active fire companies! But still, these old fire sentinels live on as a memory of their importance to their home neighborhoods from 50, 75, and even100 years ago.

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio