On Saturday morning, Tompkins County officials declared a state of emergency and issued a burn ban, both in effect for 30 days, due to “a lack of rainfall and dry conditions,” in the wake of Friday night’s large brush fire in Lansing. Ithaca College has also announced it has canceled a fireworks show planned for Saturday night during the college’s family weekend.
Effective 10am on Saturday, November 2nd, Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes issued a burn ban as follows:
The following activity is prohibited in accordance with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Open Burning Laws:
- Burning refuse, trash and other solid waste
- Burning loose leaves or leaf piles
- Burning downed limbs and branches
- Burning of grass, brush or forest-covered land.
Tompkins County’s state of emergency will be in effect for thirty days “or until rescinded or renewed by a subsequent order.”
Ithaca College’s Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life, Dr. Stanley A. Bazile, announced Saturday morning that “out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to cancel the fireworks display that was scheduled to be part of our Family Weekend celebrations on Saturday night.”
“While the fire did not directly impact the Ithaca College campus, a burn ban has been placed in effect in Tompkins County due to the extremely dry conditions and we do not believe that it is prudent at this time to launch a fireworks display,” Dr. Bazile added. “We still have a packed weekend of festivities planned for our campus to come together to share the IC experience with families and supporters of our students.”
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