Tuesday July, 18 2023 @ 17:57

Nature: Smoke Investigation

Location: Mount Joy Rd and Baylis Av Baylis Estates, DE 19966

On Tuesday, July 18^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a smoke investigation incident off Mount Joy Road.  It was reported to be smoke coming from a residence adjacent to Baylis Estates.

Emergency response units from Indian River included Tanker 80 from the Oak Orchard facility and Engine #80-3 from the Long Neck facility as well as the Delaware State Fire Police.

Emergency response crew assignments included identification and location of source of the smoke.  It was determined to be an improper burning episode from a nearby residential location.    Engine #80-3 was cancelled while responding to the incident location.

The residential occupant were apprised of the proper burning procedures and that a burn ban was in effect until September 30^th.

Identified herewith are the Open Burn Laws for the State of Delaware.

A statewide control burning ban is in effect starting May 1st 2023 and will cease on September 30th, 2023. There is NO open / control burning permitted during the Ozone Season (May 1-Sept. 30), with the exception of cooking fires, campfires, patio fire pits, chimenea, and ceremonial bonfires. ALL other burning must wait until after October 1.

For additional information regarding Delaware's open burning laws, please visit the following:

(1) https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/air/open-burning/residential

 Allowable Domestic Open Burning Activities Include:

Cooking fires (limited to 10 cubic feet at one time).

Campfires, patio fire pits, or chimenea (limited to 27 cubic feet at one time).

Ceremonial bonfires conducted by established groups such as schools, churches, or other recognized organizations (limited to 27 cubic feet at one time).

Burning of small amounts of cut or fallen branches, limbs, or shrubbery from your residence (limited to 27 cubic feet at one time). This total represents the size of a fire that can be reasonably extinguished with a garden hose.