TOWN OF CLINTON EMERGENCY ORDER NO. 2024-01 – Burn Ban

AN ORDER AND DECLARATION FOR A BURN BAN FOR ALL OF THE TOWN OF CLINTON UNDER LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY

All outdoor burning of yard trash, household paper products, bonfires, campfires, warming fires, outdoor fireplaces, chimneys, and cooking fires within said jurisdictions is prohibited.

WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton Supervisor hereby finds that circumstances present within the Town of Clinton create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Clinton Supervisor heretofore has declared a State of Emergency effective October 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., declaring that a state of emergency exists throughout the Town of Clinton due to severe drought conditions and the threat of wildfires caused by outdoor burning, and its imminent threat to the health and welfare of Town of Clinton citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Executive Order, in accordance with Section 24 of the New York State Executive Law, authorizes political subdivisions to take whatever prudent action that is necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community; and

WHEREAS, Section 24 of the New York State Executive Law authorizes political subdivisions to take all necessary action and issue any necessary orders to protect human life; and

WHEREAS, October 28, 2024, the Town Supervisor of the Town of Clinton issued a Declaration of Local State of Emergency regarding the severe drought conditions; and

NOW, THEREFORE, it is ORDERED that outdoor burning is prohibited in all the Town of Clinton as follows:

1. Actions prohibited:
   1. A person violates this order if he/she burns any combustible material in an outdoor area.
   2. A person violates this order if he/she engages in any outdoor activity which could allow flames or sparks that could result in a fire.
2. Enforcement:
   1. Upon notification of suspected outdoor burning the local volunteer fire companies shall respond to the scene and take immediate measures to contain and/or extinguish the fire.
   2. As soon as possible, law enforcement agencies shall respond to the scene to investigate the nature of the fire. The law enforcement officers shall request immediate compliance with this order.
3. This order does not apply to the following outdoor burning activities:
   1. Firefighting training
   2. Burn operations approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The setting of fires to any grass, brush or forest covered land, unless authorized by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, shall constitute a violation of the law.

This order shall expire when the conditions are again deemed safe, upon such date as determined by the Town of Clinton Supervisor in conjunction with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Done and Ordered this 28th day of October 2024:
Michael Whitton, Town Supervisor