Wednesday May, 20 2026 @ 14:14

Nature: Outside Fire

Address: 32150 River Rd Millsboro, DE 19966

Cross Streets: Wheatley Ln/Chief Rd

On Wednesday afternoon, May 20^th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for an outside fire on River Road in the area between Chief Road and Wheatley Lane.  It was reported that someone was burning trash within a few feet from a structure. 

Emergency response units were limited to an Fire Company Officer within the immediate vicinity that apprised the person(s) of the burn ban and proper burning procedures.

Fire suppression actions were immediately undertaken by the responsible parties.

All emergency response units from Indian River were held at their respective stations.

State of Delaware – Burn Ban Regulations…

A statewide control burning ban is in effect starting May 1st 2026 and will cease on September 30th, 2026. 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.

NOTE:

Such burning is banned during the Ozone Season (May 1-Sept. 30).

The rest of the year (Oct.1-April 30), such burning is allowed only between 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Before conducting a residential open burn, a resident must notify their local county fire board.

• New Castle County - 302.571.7331

• Kent County - 302.734.6040

• Sussex County - 302.856.6306