Thursday, May 2, 2013

The Burning Question


   At Wednesday’s Town Board Meeting Judge Colleen Knuth, spoke about the issue of open burning.   December 2012, open burning regulations changed.  All residential brush burning is prohibited during the historically high fire risk period between March 16 and May 14. Violators of the open burning state regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense to a maximum fine of 18,000  with up to a year in jail.  Additionally, there is a  minimum sir charge of $75.00 or 6% of the fine whichever is greater.

If a wind turbine caught fire during a state wide open burning ban would the wind project owner pay the fine or would this be the responsibility of the land owner?

When a fire starts in a wind turbine nacelle, molten, burning glass fiber from the blades will drop down onto the dry dead grass around the base and the fire will spread to the trees or barns, even homes nearby.

It is especially dangerous if the turbine starts burning at night. If wind turbines catch on fire the outcome could be deadly threatening public safety.  

  Are our local fire departments prepared for the possibility of a large scale disaster?



DEC: State Ban on Residential Brush Burning Begins March 16 during High Fire-Risk Season



5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The normal procedure for wind turbine fire is to evacuate the area, let it burn out and stand by. Turbine fires do happen. in fact, percentage frequency is higher than for single and multi family residences. There just aren't as many of them.

Anonymous said...

Come on now, what if the whole town went up in smoke, isn't that the least we can do to help keep the lights on the Big Apple? This issue is all about the greater good. If they need us to sacrifice our homes and property for the greater public good then who are we to complain. Some members of every society make sacrifices so that others can live with safety, security and lights. My advice, when the fire chief gets the call that turbine number 124 is ablaze, just hang up the phone and go back to sleep.

Anonymous said...

Are our local fire depts. prepared for disaster?

Hell no! Christ ,when Roger Alexanders 100 ft. turbine was flailing in the wind, creating a serious threat to neighboring homes and any passersby, the emergency personnel did not even so much as cordon off the street or the nearby area.

We are looking into the mouth of the dragon, with no weapons to safeguard us!

Anonymous said...

What is really sad is what our young men and women of the community have had to go through thanks to Bee Pee and Marion's Marionettes.
Think of all the added stress put on the fire dept who has had to put up with their sh*t. All they ever wanted to do is serv their community. Not some foreign invaders.

Anonymous said...

Al Wood was the zoning guy at the time. How many years had that piece of junk been sitting there doing nothing?