Where McHenry County Allows Those with Asthma To Suffer

From the McHenry County Health Department:

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – As spring arrives and residents begin seasonal yard cleanup, the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reminds the public that restrictions on the open burning of landscape waste remain in effect year-round under the County Public Health Ordinance.

Residents should be aware of the following requirements when conducting open burning:

• Burning is permitted only on Saturdays and Sundays in April, May, October, and November from dawn to dusk.
• Only landscape waste generated on the property may be burned; waste may not be transported to another location for disposal.
• Burn areas must be at least 100 feet from habitable structures and 50 feet from non-habitable structures such as detached garages, sheds, or barns.
• Adult supervision is required throughout the duration of the burn.
• A water source or fire extinguisher must be readily available.
• Burning materials such as garbage, paper, cardboard, construction materials, or animal waste is prohibited.

Residents living within municipalities should check with their city or village for any additional restrictions that may apply. Where no stricter local ordinance exists, the County ordinance must be followed.

MCDH encourages residents to consider alternatives to open burning, including mulching, composting, using landscape service companies, processing branches into firewood, or utilizing landscape waste collection services provided by municipal solid waste haulers. Residents may also drop off landscape waste at composting facilities or transfer stations and should follow their hauler’s preparation requirements.

Residents are encouraged to be mindful of neighbors who may be sensitive to smoke.

When burning is permitted, maximize setback distances whenever possible and consider wind direction to reduce smoke impacts on nearby homes or other habitable structures.

Residents may submit open burning complaints to MCDH, any local law enforcement agency, fire department or fire protection district. Agencies who respond to open burning concerns are responsible for a variety of issues. All responses are prioritized, and an immediate response is not always possible.

For complete information on the McHenry County Public Health Ordinance and alternatives to open burning, visit MCDH.info or call the Division of Environmental Health at (815) 334-4585.

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Oh for the days after Republican Governor Richard B. Ogilvie signed legislation preventing open burning.

Thanks to Lakewood Village President Julie Richardson the burning of leaves was banned after the open burning ban was repealed. No way to sleep with windows open at night before that.