The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has instituted a statewide ban on residential brush burning through May 14 to prevent wildfires and protect communities and first responders. The ban is in place due to increasing fire risk due to warm temperatures and dry conditions. The open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in the state. The restrictions were first implemented in 2009 to prevent wildfire and reduce air pollution. The state's Forestry Department has issued a Fire Danger Map on its website to monitor local conditions.