Should New Lenox Ban Fire Pits and Leaf Burning?

Despite what some of the recent weather might indicate, it's fall. The leaves are changing colors, falling to the ground ... and then rising again in the form of smoke.

Drive around town and you'll smell (and sometimes see) leaves burning. The cooler weather brings on an increased use of fire pits.

But are fires in pits and piles of leaves legal? Should it be? In Geneva Patch, , at least in the suburbs:

Is it really fair to subject any unwilling neighbor to that kind of smoke? Does that process significantly differ from inflicting a loud AC/DC marathon upon them?

New Lenox Leaf Burning Regulations

Municipal regulations very from town to town. In New Lenox, fire pits and leaf-burning are allowed, at least during "certain atmospheric conditions," said Sgt. Hilary Davis of the .

According to New Lenox's village code, it's illegal to burn anything that could be blown away by wind (paper, leaves, etc.) unless it's burned in a stove, fireplace, furnace or incinerator. Davis said that just about any store-bought fire pit with a lid/screen will be OK.

"It can never be done just open, out in a pile," Davis said.

It's generally up to a police officer to decide on a case-by-case basis whether outdoor burning will be "hazardous or harmful to the health and welfare of the citizens of the village." If so, it's a $50 fine for both leaf-burning and bon fires.

So that's the catch: Even if the burning is safe, is it healthy? The Geneva Patch columnist argued it's not:

Wood smoke, even the seasoned variety, ain’t good for anyone. The logic behind so many local leaf-burning bans is the effect that exhaust has on the exponentially growing number of asthmatic children.

A Couple Alternatives

Local Voices blogger Marta Keane of Will County Green suggests composting leaves, or simply mowing them where they are on the lawn.

In light of the season and more leaves on the ground, the is publicizing its leaf pickup service.

The leaf collection starts Monday, Oct. 17 and lasts through Saturday, Nov. 26. Any leaves bagged in the brown paper yardwaste bags are collected for free, with no stickers necessary. The bags are collected by Nu-Way the same day as regular garbage pickup.

Bags filled with grass clippings, garden waste and brush still require yardwaste stickers. Every fall, residents 65 and older may get 10 free yardwaste bags from Village Hall. This opportunity is available through the end of November. For more information, go to the village's website.