Colder temps signal start of leaf-burning season

As the first night of temperatures in the 30s sends masses of autumn leaves floating to the ground, area fire departments are asking residents to know the rules about burning.

Cape Girardeau fire marshal Michael Morgan said there haven't been any problems in his city, and there shouldn't be if people pay attention.

"With the cold day we had this morning, it's going to make those leaves fall that much quicker," he said Monday. "Any time you have a big pile of burning leaves, some of them can get swept across the yard."

Some rules are the same for Cape Girardeau and neighboring Jackson and Scott City. All three require homeowners to attend their leaf burning with a garden hose or bucket full of water and a rake to control the fire. They all allow burning only on a person's own property -- not in a street or alley -- and only of leaves.

Here are specific laws for burning leaves for the three cities:

Cape Girardeau: Burning is allowed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and piles can be a maximum of 5feet by 5 feet. No permits are necessary.

Jackson: Burning is allowed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. except on windy days, when residents should check with the fire station to see if it's being allowed. There's no permit required unless the pile is larger than 10 feet by 10 feet and 10 feet high.

Scott City: Burning is allowed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the area can be a maximum of 4 feet by 4 feet. Residents should call the police or fire department and let them know the address of the leaf burning.