ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. - Due to the recent number of calls for illegal burning reports in the county, Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol is informing county residents of regulations and laws regarding open burning.

Since 1989, Oneida County Law has prohibited the burning of household garbage and trash and promoted recycling. County Law stated that no one can burn or bury trash, garbage or other waste in or on their property at anytime.

In 2009, New York State enacted new laws that prohibit or limit the burning of brush and leaves and made it illegal to burn household trash statewide.

Leaves or not allowed to be burned anywhere in the state at any time, Sheriff Maciol notes, adding that people are encouraged to compost their leaves isntead.

Brush defined as limbs less than 6" in diameter and less than 8' in length may be burned in towns with less than 20,000 people. However, it is not allowed to be burned between March 16 and May 14 due to the increased risk of wildfires. Some permits are allowed and you need to check with your local DEC office.

The state law does allow for small recreational or campfires and small cooking fires. You can not burn any treated wood or painted wood and fires are not to be left unattended.

You can refer to www.dec.ny.gov for full details, or contact the Sheriff's Office at 315-736-8364.

Oneida County law fines for illegal burning start at $100 for the first offense.