Fire Department

A report of smoke coming from a Regent Street resident turned out to be on account of someone burning leaves in their backyard.

Engine Company 9, along with a full structure fire response, was called to the address after a concerned passerby stated there was heavy smoke in the area, and they weren’t sure whether a house was on fire.

Firefighters did find gray smoke as they arrived just after 5:00 p.m. Thursday. Three sides of the home were clear of fire and smoke, but they did find someone in the backyard burning leaves and sticks in their fire pit. The resident was asked to put out the fire, and he did so with his garden hose. Firefighters reminded him that repeat offenses may result in citation.

Burning sticks, leaves, or any other material that isn’t clean dry wood is prohibited by the City of Madison. This is because of the amount of smoke these materials produce, as well as wayward embers that increase the potential for fire spread. As an alternative to burning, the City of Madison hosts a number of yard waste collection sites where residents can discard their leaves and other organic matter. Fall curbside pick-up is also underway (see link in margin).