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It’s that time of year again! The leaves are beginning to turn and fall, so let’s review the best ways to deal with your fall yard waste clean-up.

This season, we strongly encourage you to refrain from burning your fall leaves and yard waste. Even in the best conditions, smoke does not stay contained to your property, and it WILL affect those living around you. Instead, explore alternative options for disposal; we have some ideas listed below.

Burning Alternatives

Not sure what to do with your leaves instead? Consider the following options:

  • Skip the raking altogether and leave them be or mulch them!
    • Leaves are rich in carbon, phosphorous, and potassium – all are essential nutrients for plants and lawns.
    • Leaves protect plant roots from the effects of freezing and thawing during the winter.
    • Butterflies, moths, bumblebees, and other invertebrates use leaves as cover.
  • Compost them.
  • Bag them for yard waste pick-up and take advantage of the additional pick-up dates:
    • Monday, October 7th, 2024
    • Monday, October 21st, 2024
    • Monday, November 11th, 2024
    • Monday, November 25th, 2024 (final yard waste pick-up date of the year)
  • Utilize neighboring drop-off facilities:

Yard Waste Pick-Up Reminders

  • Use only brown paper yard waste bags for collection.
    • Yard waste will not be collected if placed in any other container or piled outside of bags.
    • Do not exceed 50 pounds per bag.
    • Bags can be purchased from home improvement stores, Wal-Mart, Costco, etc.
  • Place yard waste bags at the end of your driveway by 6:00 a.m. on pick-up days.
    • The Grounds Guys crew is not obligated to pick up yard waste placed at the curb after 6:00 a.m.
  • Call the Town Hall for any questions, concerns, or missed pick-ups.

Burning Ordinance Reminders

Again, while we encourage you to try alternative methods, if you do burn, then following the Open Burning Ordinance is non-negotiable.

Read the full burning ordinance online.

Do

  • Attend the fire at all times.
  • Have fire extinguishing materials on hand (i.e., a hose connected to a pressurized water source, fire extinguisher, shovel, etc.).
  • Contain your fire to three feet in diameter or smaller.
  • Be considerate of your neighbors; if smoke is blowing onto a neighbor’s property, extinguish the fire and wait for conditions to change or utilize an alternate disposal method.
  • Extinguish the fire if weather conditions change (i.e., wind speed increases).
  • Call 911 immediately if the fire spreads.

Do NOT

  • Burn within 10-15 feet of any structure or property line.
  • Burn in ditches or drainage ways.
  • Burn when wind speed exceeds 10 miles per hour.
  • Burn prohibited materials – including wet leaves.
  • Start a fire later than 30 minutes before sunset.
  • Leave the burn until it is completely extinguished.

Did you know?

Breathing the smoke from debris burning is unhealthy for you and your neighbors. Burning leaves releases carbon monoxide, particulates, and proven carcinogens into the air. Those most at risk include:

  • Children under 10
  • Adults over 65
  • Pregnant people
  • People with asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease and allergies

Other Burning Resources

7 Uses for Fallen Leaves – Farm Bureau

This Fall, Leave the Leaves! – U.S. Department of Agriculture

Alternatives to Burning – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Environmental and Health Impacts of Open Burning – Wisconsin DNR

Open Burning and Outdoor Wood Boiler Complaints – Wisconsin DNR