In all Adirondack towns, open burning of brush is prohibited unless you get a permit from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. And those permits are unlikely to be approved at this time of year because a residential burn ban is in place all over New York — March 16 to May 14.

“Since the spring burn ban was implemented in 2009, the number of wildfires has decreased by more than 40%,” the DEC states on its website.

There are other ways to get rid of brush. If you must burn it and are willing to seek a DEC permit, wait until after the burn ban ends. (Burning leaves or garbage is prohibited year-round by the way.)

Open burning is prohibited in New York state, with several exceptions:

– Campfires.

– Small cooking fires are allowed.

– Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires.

– Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.

– Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.

The DEC urges caution and offers these guidelines for campfires:

– Use existing campfire rings when possible.

– Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire.

– Campfires must be less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in diameter. Only charcoal or untreated wood can be used as fuel. A good bed of coals or a small fire surrounded by rocks gives plenty of heat. Scrape away litter, duff, and any burnable material within a 10-foot-diameter circle. This will keep the campfire from spreading.

– Be sure your match is out. Hold it until it is cold.

– Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could cause a fire to spread quickly.

– Drown the fire with water. Make sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet. Move rocks as there may be burning embers underneath.

– Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again. If you do not have water use dirt. Do not bury your coals as they can smolder and break out.

– Consider using a small stove for cooking in remote areas vs. making a campfire.

Our advice: You probably don’t NEED a fire this time of year, not really. Wait until summer.