YORK, Pa. — The York County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday voted to enact a 30-day ban on open burning, which goes into effect on Friday.
The decision to enact the ban was made after consulting with the county's Office of Emergency Management and local fire chiefs, the Board said.
Open burning is defined as the ignition and subsequent burning of any combustible material (garbage, leaves, grass, vegetation, etc.) outdoors in a burn barrel (screened or unscreened) or on the ground.
The use of gas or propane stoves, charcoal grills, or use of tobacco products outside are not prohibited in any manner by this resolution and can continue as normal.
Campfires in designated state, federal, or Department of Environmental Protection licensed campgrounds, are allowed in fire rings that confine and contain the campfire.
The ban will be enforced by municipal and State Police. Those who are found violating the ban are subject to fines of $100 (first offense), $200 (second offense), or $300 (all offenses thereafter).
The burn ban will be reviewed periodically throughout the 30 days by the York County Office of Emergency Management and the Fire Chief's Association to determine if the ban can be lifted earlier due to changing weather conditions.
