Outdoor - Open Burning
New York law only permits open burning from May 15th through March 15th.
What can be burned: Tree Limbs**
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Limbs cannot be larger the 6 inches in diameter
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Limbs cannot be longer than 8 feet in length
** Tree limb burning is only allowed by the State on New York, in towns with a total population less than 20,000 (Ghent is current at a population level of approximately 5,400).
What you cannot burn:
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Household trash
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Tree leaves (not attached to tree limbs).
(See more details by clicking on the pdf form at the bottom of this page):
Steps to a safe and successful open burn:
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Prior to starting the burn, call the Columbia County 911 office at (518) 828-4114 to report that you will be conducting a burn. They will ask for your name, address and telephone number.
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Ensure the area around the burn is clear and free of any combustibles (at least 100 feet minimum and more during dry conditions).
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Burn only on a calm day.
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Post an adult at the burn site to monitor it until all flames and hot embers are out. This person also needs to have:
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A fully charged cell phone
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Adequate phone service signal at the site, should an issue arise.
Airborne embers can still start a fire even after traveling over a mile!
For more information, click on the pdf icon at right, or visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website at https://www.dec.ny.gov
