MAHOPAC, N.Y.— A Mahopac resident faces charges for allegedly defying a Putnam County-wide outdoor burn ban. The ban was issued in late October after a large Kent brush fire, County officials called the ban necessary because dry conditions have increased the risk of brush fires.
According to Carmel PD, multiple residents on Lakeview Court called on the evening of Nov. 1 to report an outdoor fire on Teakettle Spout Lake.
Police arrived to see a man “engaged in unauthorized outdoor burning on a small island located at the center of the lake,” Camel PD said.
The Mahopac Fire Department was already at the scene and informed the man that he must extinguish the fire due to current fire restrictions.
“Despite repeated instructions and warnings, [he] failed to comply, prompting officers to make their way to the island to detain him,” police said.
The man was taken into custody and issued an appearance ticket for violating Putnam County's “burn ban” emergency executive order No. 1 of 2024, which was issued by County Executive Kevin Byrne on Oct. 28. Part of a State of Emergency for Putnam County, the burn ban was enacted due to prolonged dry conditions and an increased risk of wildfires in the region. It prohibits the outdoor burning of combustible materials and any outdoor activities that could produce sparks or flames.
After the man was safely escorted off the island, the Mahopac Fire Department fully extinguished the fire. He now faces a Class B misdemeanor charge and has been scheduled for a court appearance.
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