COLUMBIA COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A statewide ban against open burning goes into effect March 16. The annual ban comes as one local county just ended a five-day long state of emergency after multiple brush fires broke out.

Extremely dry, windy, and low humidity in New York have pushed several areas to be on high alert about the possibility of brush and wildfires erupting. In Columbia County, Fire Coordinator George Keeler said they were under a state of emergency from March 11 until March 16 after brush fires damaged outbuildings, which are sheds, storage units, and small farms on a homeowners property. Keeler said about 20 acres of land were burned.

"We're down rainfall, so we're into drought conditions," Keeler said. "There is high risk of wildland fires or brush fires and conditions, low humidity, dry weather, and high winds. That tends to lead to a pretty quick expansion of even small fires that you think you have under control."

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, open burning is the single greatest cause of wildfires in New York State. Keeler said that there are ways to and things to keep in mind when wanting to start cleaning up your lawn by burning any brush, leaves, or trash.

"There is companies around that can come pick them up and dispose of them for you," Keeler said. "They can bag them up, and I know Columbia County has transfer stations where they accept lawn debris and leaves and brush like that. Or, they can wait a few more weeks until things green up and we get some moisture and conditions aren't so ripe for brush fires. So, a little common sense and a little patience."

The annual ban will remain in effect until May 14. However, there are some exceptions according to the NYSDEC. Open fires are allowed on farmland that is at least five acres wide. Campfires and small cooking fires are also allowed. Keeler does urge caution against starting any sort of fire.

"Have the means to be able to keep it under control and put it out," Keeler said. "When you're done with your fire, make sure it is out. Wet the ashes down. Don't just think it is burned down enough, and it's not going anywhere. Just to be sure, pour a five-gallon pail of water on it. Stir it up; make sure it's out."

For those who violate the ban, a minimum of $500 could be imposed. Keeler said repercussions are necessary.

"I think there needs to be some kind of penalty," Keeler said. "You're mobilizing a lot of resources to take care of something that got out of control."

For more detail about what is prohibited from burning, check with the NYSDEC webpage.

John O'Shea says teams all over Europe will try to sign Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool

HE'S A KEEPER

Video Player is loading.

Play Video

Play

Mute

Current Time 0:00

/

Duration 0:22

Loaded: 0%

0:00

Stream Type LIVE

Seek to live, currently behind liveLIVE

Remaining Time -0:22

 

1x

Playback Rate

• 2x
• 1.75x
• 1.5x
• 1.25x
• 1x, selected
• 0.75x
• 0.5x

Chapters

• Chapters

Descriptions

• descriptions off, selected

Captions

• captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
• captions off, selected

Audio Track

• en (Main), selected

Fullscreen

This is a modal window.

Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

Text

ColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-Transparent

Background

ColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparent

Window

ColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaque

Font Size

50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%

Text Edge Style

NoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadow

Font Family

Proportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall Caps

Reset restore all settings to the default valuesDone

Close Modal Dialog

End of dialog window.

Close Modal Dialog

This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

BOURNEMOUTH are confident of beating Big Six clubs to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher this summer.

The Republic of Ireland international wants to leave Anfield to get first-team football, and may have played his last game for the club in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. 

Chelsea, Tottenham and Carabao winners Newcastle are also interested.

Bournemouth are ready to move first however, putting them in pole position, as manager Andoni Iraola has made signing a goalkeeper a priority with Kelleher his top target.

Iraola has used on-loan goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for most of the season, but there is no obligation to buy in the loan contract with Chelsea and his performances have been mixed.

The Spaniard was dropped by Iraola earlier in the season for another young Irish goalkeeper, Mark Travers, who is now on loan at Middlesbrough.

Iraola regards Kelleher as a big improvement on both his current goalkeepers and has asked Bournemouth to move quickly when the transfer window opens in June.

Chelsea have also expressed interest, but will not commit to making a bid at this stage.

Boss Enzo Maresca wants to back his current goalkeepers, Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen, despite the doubts of others at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham’s goalkeeping position is also unclear, with Guglielmo Vicario, Fraser Forster and Antonin Kinsky all being used by Ange Postecoglou this season.

BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS

And while Newcastle want an extra goalkeeper and like Kelleher, the club’s PSR problems mean they may not be able to meet Liverpool’s £30million asking price.

Bournemouth may also be able to offer European football as Iraola’s side are currently ninth in the Premier League, but Kelleher does not regard that as essential.

Shay Given loses the rag over Liverpool’s treatment of Caoimhin Kelleher

SHAY IT AIN'T SO

Video Player is loading.

Play Video

Play

Mute

Current Time 0:00

/

Duration 0:51

Loaded: 0%

0:00

Stream Type LIVE

Seek to live, currently behind liveLIVE

Remaining Time -0:51

 

1x

Playback Rate

• 2x
• 1.75x
• 1.5x
• 1.25x
• 1x, selected
• 0.75x
• 0.5x

Chapters

• Chapters

Descriptions

• descriptions off, selected

Captions

• captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
• captions off, selected

Audio Track

• en (Main), selected

Fullscreen

This is a modal window.

Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

Text

ColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-Transparent

Background

ColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparent

Window

ColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaque

Font Size

50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%

Text Edge Style

NoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadow

Font Family

Proportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall Caps

Reset restore all settings to the default valuesDone

Close Modal Dialog

End of dialog window.

Close Modal Dialog

This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

Kelleher’s priority is securing a move to a Premier League club that can provide regular first-team appearances after his career has stalled at Anfield through no fault of his own.

The 26-year-old has played 17 matches so far this season, but has been restricted to appearances in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup since Alisson Becker returned from a hamstring injury in December.

Liverpool are aware of Kelleher’s frustrations and will not stand in his way.

Arne Slot has already signed Kelleher’s replacement, with Georgian international Georgi Mamardashvili due to arrive from Valencia at the end of the season.