We all enjoy a campfire at the beach, but everyone needs to BE RESPONSIBLE for their own fires. Fires need to be handled properly, and EXTINGUISHED COMPLETELY!
Wildfires commonly occur in the spring and summer during dry and windy conditions, and open burning is the single greatest cause of wildfires in NYS. Open burning of brush, limbs, and branches is prohibited. Backyard fire pits, small cooking fires, and small campfires are okay, but these can never be left unattended.
The weekend of June 26-29, two fires were not extinguished and were left to smolder, giving winds a chance to blow embers into the grasses and start an enormous brush fire.
Planning a fire at the beach (or anywhere on Island)?
- Do Not burn wood pallets. They are made of pressure-treated wood that gives off gases and leaves hundreds of nails for others to step on.
- Pack a bucket or 2. Fill it with water before the sun goes down, and again as needed to completely extinguish the fire.
- Do Not cover the fire with sand. This will not put it out, and feet can get burned.
- Pack garbage bags. Do Not leave your trash or other evidence for someone else to pick up.
LEAVE ONLY YOUR FOOTPRINTS
AT THE BEACH
The afternoon of May 11th, this fire was found at the end of the runway!
Be responsible for your actions! Put fires out completely!
Someone left this fire that was not completely extinguished. It could easily have spread to the wild grasses of the airport, Parade Ground, Waste Management Compost Station, and beyond.
Luckily, the Conservancy’s Michele Klimczak was in the area, smelled the smoke, doused it with four pails of water, and alerted Fire Chief Aiello. Potential crisis averted!
