Since the statewide spring ban on residential brush burning in smaller communities went into effect in 2010, there has been a 60 percent reduction in wildfires.

The figure was calculated by the state Department of Environmental Conservation since this year's ban ended May 15.

Wildfire reports submitted by DEC's Forest Rangers show that 20 percent (13 of 65 fires) that occurred during this year's spring wildfires in upstate New York were caused by people burning debris. This is down 51 percent from yearly figures from 2000 through 2009, before the burning ban took effect.

This spring, there were 60 percent fewer wildfires than the average of the previous 10 years prior to the burning regulations and spring burning ban.

Although 2012 had an exceptionally dry spring with record high temperatures, the first half of the spring fire season (March 16 through April 15) had a slightly fewer (7 percent) wildfires caused by reasons other than debris burning when compared to the previous 25 years.

During the height of the 2012 spring wildfire season, DEC Forest Rangers flew with State Police and Civil Air Patrol pilots to look for wildfires and spot illegal open burning. During 10 two-hour flights, six wildfires were discovered while only three illegal burns were identified.

All of this indicates that there are significantly fewer wildfires because New Yorkers are complying with the burning regulations and spring burning ban, according to DEC.

In 2009, New York toughened restrictions on open burning to reduce harmful air pollutants and help prevent wildfires. While the burn ban regulation allows residential brush burning for most of the year in towns with a populations of less than 20,000, it prohibits open burning in all communities during early spring when the bulk of New York's wildfires typically occur. The state regulation prohibits the burning of garbage at all times and in all places.

Several factors can enable wildfires to start easily and spread quickly early in spring, including the lack of green vegetation, abundance of available fuels such as dry grass and leaves, warm temperatures and wind.

Open burning is the largest single cause of wildfires in New York state. Data from DEC's Forest Protection Division shows that debris burning accounted for about 36 percent of wildfires in the state between 1985 and 2009, which is more than twice the next most-cited cause.

Some towns are designated "fire towns" primarily in and around the Adirondack Park and Catskill Park. Under the Environmental Conservation Law, open burning is prohibited at any time in these municipalities without a written permit from DEC.

To find out if a town is a designated "Fire Town" or to obtain a permit, people can contact DEC.

Violators of the open burning state regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense.