With the start of spring and warmer temperatures expected soon in St. Lawrence County, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will enforce a burning ban through May 14.

The ban restricts brush burning in towns with less than 20,000 residents

A statement from the DEC SAYS open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in the state. When temperatures are warmer and grasses and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and the lack of green vegetation.

New York has had strict restrictions on open burning since 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce emissions. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns during most of the year, but prohibit burning in spring months, March 16 through May 15, when most wildfires occur.

Campfires using charcoal or untreated wood are allowed, but people should never leave such fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round.

In the five-year period since the ban was enacted, the average number of spring fires per year decreased by 43.2 percent, from 3,297 in 2009 to 1,425 to 2014.

Violating the burn ban can incur a $500 fine for the first offense.