New Ban on Open Fires at Westchester County Parks

Written by LANNING TALIAFERRO (Patch Staff)

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino today instituted a ban on open fires at all county parks.

The order comes as a result of the increased risk of fire caused by recent dry conditions.

“The lack of rainfall in the past several weeks has caused our parks throughout the county to become extremely dry,” Astorino said in a prepared statement. “Until we receive some substantial rainfall, we ask that all visitors to our parks take precautions to protect our parkland.”

Charcoal and propane fires will only be permitted for cooking in permanently fixed grills in the parks during the ban. No open fires are permitted.

The Parks Department will continue to monitor conditions on a daily basis and will reevaluate the ban if any significant rainfall occurs.

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