Effective October 14,2009, new statewide Open Burning Regulations prohibit burning trash in all cases. The existing incinerator rule already prohibits burning household trash in wood stoves, fireplaces, and outdoor wood boilers. Burning leaves is also banned. Exempt are small campfires, cooking fires, and celebratory bonfires. Only charcoal or clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned. In towns with a total population less than 20,000, you may burn tree limbs with attached leaves. The limbs must be less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length. However, this is not allowed from March 16 through May 14 due to the increased risk of wildfires. Organic agricultural wastes may be burned on-site where they are grown or generated, including brush and wood produced by clearing fields and other activities. The fire must be located on contiguous agricultural land larger than 5 acres, and the materials capable of being fully burned within 24 hours. The burning of pesticides, plastics or other non-organic material is prohibited. Open burning of household trash releases dangerous compounds including arsenic, carbon monoxide, benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, lead, hydrogen cyanide and dioxin, among others. Open burning is also the single greatest cause of wildfires in New York. DEC recommends that you recycle all appropriate materials (such as newspaper, paper, glass and plastic) and compost your organic kitchen and garden waste. To report environmental law violations call 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332).