Emergency Services officials say fire crews have had to respond to several brush fires in the Southern Tier.  One of the biggest in the region drew firefighters from four departments to property on Wilson Hill road in the Town of Triangle April 23.  That blaze also reportedly damaged a garage but there were no injuries.

Statewide, small wildfires have been reported across New York in the past week, and state officials are warning residents to beware of dry conditions as temperatures rise.  The issue is further complicated when winds are factored in.

The annual state ban on residential burning already is underway and runs through May 14.

One of the biggest causes of wildfires this time of year is the illegal burning of brush and trash on properties.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation says the ban has cut the number of wildfires by almost 37 percent since it began nine years ago.

Firefighters from Triangle, Greene, Smithville and Killawog responded to just one of the fires reported April 23.  The blaze late Monday morning in Triangle burned grass and hay before spreading to the garage.  Officials have been looking into just what started that fire.

Authorities in Chenango and Tioga Counties also reported small grass and brush fires.

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