The state Department of Environmental Conservation is advising state residents that although the state’s ban on brush burning ended May 14, several open burning regulations are still in effect across New York state year-round.

Residents are encouraged to use caution when burning brush and other legal materials.

In urban and suburban areas of New York, it is illegal to conduct open burning. It is also illegal to burn garbage, leaves and leaf piles in New York state year-round. Residents of towns with fewer than 20,000 residents may burn brush and tree limbs unless prohibited by local law. In towns where the population exceeds 20,000, brush burning is not allowed at any time.

All open burning is prohibited in New York with the following exceptions allowed:

¯ Limbs, branches and brush can be burned May 15 through March 15. Limbs must be less than six inches in diameter and eight feet in length;

¯ Campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter;

¯ Cooking fires and campfires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished, and only charcoal or clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned. The burning of chemically treated wood such as pressure-treated lumber and plywood is prohibited; and

¯ Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires, as well as small fires used to dispose of a flag or religious item.

DEC encourages residents to mulch or compost brush along with other yard waste. In rural areas brush piles can provide habitat for wildlife.