Orange County NY has moderate wildfire risk concentrated in the Hudson Highlands, Shawangunk Ridge, and Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park areas. Unlike western states, NY has not adopted a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) code. NY DEC Region 3 issues fire-danger advisories and enforces the statewide March 16 to May 14 brush burning ban.
Orange County sits in DEC Region 3 and contains the eastern Shawangunk Ridge, Schunemunk Mountain, and the western edge of Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain State Park, where oak-pine forests on thin soils create seasonal wildfire risk during dry spring and fall windows. NY has not adopted International WUI Code 2021, so there is no defensible-space, Class A roofing, or ember-resistant vent mandate in residential zoning. Risk is managed instead through: (1) DEC Part 215 statewide brush burning ban March 16 to May 14, with fines starting at 500 dollars under ECL 71-0703; (2) DEC daily fire danger ratings (Low to Extreme) during fire season; (3) Governor-declared emergency burn bans during drought; and (4) town-level open-burning ordinances. Home hardening and defensible space remain voluntary. Residents in high-risk corridors (Sterling Forest, Storm King, Black Rock Forest) should follow NY DEC FireWise NY recommendations.
Violating the spring brush burning ban: minimum 500 dollar fine first offense under ECL 71-0703; criminal misdemeanor possible for larger fires causing damage.
Orange County, NY
Amplified music audible beyond property lines after 10 PM is a violation in most Orange County municipalities. Outdoor venue permits required for events at B...
Orange County, NY
Overnight on-street parking in Orange County NY varies by municipality. The City of Newburgh bans on-street parking 2 AM to 6 AM from November through April ...
Orange County, NY
Orange County NY municipalities require sight-triangle clearance at intersections. The typical rule: no visual obstructions over 30 inches tall within 25-30 ...
Orange County, NY
NY Ag & Markets §123 permits local leash laws. Most Orange County towns require dogs leashed off-owner-property. Orange County parks (Thomas Bull Memorial, A...
Orange County, NY
Rainwater harvesting is fully legal in Orange County NY. Rain barrels for non-potable garden and landscape use are encouraged by the NY DEC and Cornell Coope...
Orange County, NY
Orange County draws water from Catskill/Delaware system and local wells/reservoirs. No permanent watering schedule. Drought-stage restrictions activate durin...
See how Orange County's wildfire zones rules stack up against other locations.
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