Fire prevention

The annual two-month ban started Monday and stops residents from burning brush until the middle of May.

Volunteer fire departments are facing their lowest staff levels in 40 years, according to the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. They seek a law to allow small payments to recruit and retain members.

The U.S. Fire Administration says New York is one of the top states for cooking fire risk and fatalities.

Low humidity and high winds have prompted a Red Flag Warning. The state burn ban remains in effect until May 14.

Kitchen fires triple on Thanksgiving, mainly due to unattended cooking.

The grant of nearly $640,000 aims to aid State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers by acquiring volunteer firefighters in rural areas.

Syracuse firefighters recognize a century-old awareness method by hosting a city event with games, food, music, fun and educational prevention.

The state is urging residents to take safety precautions when building camp fires.

Red Cross volunteers all over Central New York are urging their fellow citizens to “Sound the Alarm” by checking their smoke detectors. Last year, they…