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The arrest resulted from an incident in Putnam County on Friday, Nov. 1 at around 6 p.m., when residents reported an open burn on Teakettle Spout Lake in Mahopac, according to the town's police department.
Arriving officers found a man identified as Steven Turnbull "engaged in unauthorized outdoor burning" on a small island in the center of the lake, according to police. Members of the Mahopac Fire Department also at the scene soon ordered Turnbull to put the blaze out to follow fire restrictions.
However, Turnbull did not do so despite repeated warnings, police said, adding that officers then made their way to the island to arrest him. Mahopac firefighters then put out the fire after Turnbull was escorted off the island, according to the department.
After being taken into custody, Turnbull was issued an appearance ticket for violating Putnam's State of Emergency declared on Monday, Oct. 28 banning the outdoor burning of combustible materials and activities that produce flames or sparks in light of prolonged dry conditions and an increased wildfire risk.
He now faces a misdemeanor charge and will appear in court at a later date, police said.
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