Fire Officials say it is too soon to begin open burning

Back at home, our last few days of warm weather, fire officials have seen a large increase in open burn fires.

Kq2's mitchell riberal spoke with a local fire inspector on the dangers of burning before the open burn season begins.

<<<<<<<< mitchell riberal reportingthe winter weather is goneand many are starting much needed yard work dangers lingersot: steve henrichson: fire inspector "nobody should be burning anything this time."officials have seen in increase in people wanting to burnfire inspectors say it is technically illegal to burn right nowas burning season in st.

Joseph is from april to november sot henrichson: "over the weekend, we had quite a few people wanting to do open burning in the yard debris from the winter, which isn't technically legal until april 1, the month of april in the month of november to open burning months in the city of st.

Joseph"there are those who press their luck and burnwhile even following correct guidelinesbut with such dry weather and high winds, it is not safesot henrichson: "the last few days we've had some pretty high winds is the main problem.

It grabs a couple embers and takes half a block away before putting down another leaf pile somewhere."

While burning is not allowed and can result in heavy fines another fire danger.

Is cigarette butts sot henrichson: "supposed to be self extinguishing.

But if they hit the right leaves, things like that, they'll still they can still set things on fire."

One thing that can help the cityrain henrichson: "we need that first rain or so to get the ground wet and keep everything from spreading too easily" while officials wait for rain, they want everyone to be patient and wait till april to start burningsot henrichson: "this time of year, it's just waiting until april.

And then follow the proper procedure."' reporting in st joseph, mitchell riberal, kq2 news burn season starts in april, and those who burn outside of the regulated guidelines can get fined if caught.