Brush Fire Danger Soars in Binghamton Region

Bob Joseph/WNBF News [file][/caption]

The rising temperatures and dry conditions are creating a high risk of brush fires in the Twin Tiers.

Fire departments in the region have been kept busy extinguishing outdoor blazes in recent days.

Broome County senior fire investigator Jeffrey Winchell said the warm winter and the lack of snowfall has resulted in a very dry ground cover. He said it "poses a pretty significant hazard."

Winchell said outdoor burning is dangerous given the current conditions. He noted a Glen Aubrey resident on Monday (March 7) was left burning debris unattended. That sparked a brush fire that burned more than 20 acres. The blaze damaged a barn and a shed.

Winchell said although the statewide burn ban takes effect on March 15, people should not burn anything outdoors because of the fire risk. The annual New York burn ban runs through May 15.

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.