Liz Montgomery reports in Porcupine Soup that New York's annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and continues through May 14. Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "This winter was warmer and drier than most, but regardless of the winter weather, we are always at a greater risk of wildfires in the spring.... This ban helps protect our communities, natural resources, and the Rangers and other firefighters who extinguish the fires. We're encouraging all New Yorkers to think about safety first, before starting a potentially dangerous fire." Locally, the towns of Hunter, Jewett, Lexington, and Windham are designated "fire towns" where open burning is prohibited year-round. Violators of the open burning regulation can get a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.