Falling leaves, burning not yet an option

    Autumn has officially arrived and as the leaves change color and fall to the ground they begin piling up in yards.
    Until Oct. 31, Coal City residents who want to dispose of the piles of leaves must place them in craft bags and leave them curbside for pickup by the town’s waste hauler. After that day residents have the option to burn the leaves, as well as tree branches and other waste.
    The guidelines of burning vegetative debris is outlined in the town’s code, a practice that is permitted from Nov. 1 to April 1.
    When allowed, burning is limited to daytime hours and when wind speeds are under 10 miles per hour (mph). Landscape burning is prohibited within 25 feet of any structure and must be supervised at all times.
    The village requires a fire extinguisher, garden hose or water source be available, and fires must be completely extinguished and not allowed to smolder.
    Village residents are not allowed to burn rubbish at any time, however bonfires are permitted within village limits.
    The last day for yard waste pickup this calendar year is Tuesday, Nov. 27.
    For those residing in the village of Diamond open burning of landscape waste is allowed from Oct. 15 to May 1 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.
    Burning within the village limits shall not occur within 20 feet of any property or structure, and must be attended at all times by an individual at least 18 yearsof age.
    Like its neighbors, Diamond limits burning to days when winds are below 10 mph. The person responsible must have a means to extinguish the fire and all fires  must be completely extinguished.