Today is very hot, and we have more like it on the way. We are hearing about out-of-control brush fires all too frequently these days. People are just not paying attention to the warnings - and the laws.

Here is Danville's Ordinance, in part:
A. Based on consideration of neighborhood character, abutting land use, and weather conditions, residents and land owners wishing to burn brush, grass, natural unpainted, unstained, untreated dimension lumber and wood products, originating on premises only, may do so upon obtaining a burning permit from the Town of Danville Forest Fire Warden or Deputy Forest Fire Warden before burning.

In Cabot, the policy is similar but a permit is needed for any burning after the snow is gone:
Cabot, Vermont: Please contact Andy Luce, Town Fire Warden (802-563-2723) or Walter Bothfeld, Jr., Deputy Fire Warden (802-563-2715) for a burn permit. Permits are required whenever there is no snow on the ground.

 You should also know that the Department of Environmental Conservation, Agency of Natural Resources, has issued the following notice:

Open Burning

NOTICE: To reduce the risk of wildland fires during the COVID-19, the Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation has issued an advisement that the public postpone all outdoor burning until May 30th.  A copy of the advisement can be found here.  Additionally, your local forest fire warden may be unable to issue you a permit to burn at this time.  If you wish to inquire with your local forest fire warden to see if a permit can be obtained, a contact list can be found here.  Please note that a Forests, Parks & Recreation open burn permit is different from an Air Quality and Climate Division open burn permit.  At this time, all open burning regulations found within the Air Pollution Control Regulations, and their associated permit programs remain in effect.

We had a mean out-or-control fire over by Molly's Pond just last week, and it took fire crews from several towns about two hours to bring it under control. There was a dry hydrant available to get water from a nearby pond, but that is not always the case and with everything as dry as it is in the woods right now, it isn't worth the risk of starting a fire or getting fined for an illegal burn. Please make other arrangements for taking care of your spring cleanup trash.