A recent incident in Park Forest highlighted concerns about how residents report backyard burning. Over the weekend, a resident used social media to express worry about a neighbor allegedly burning garbage and asked for guidance on whom to contact, as the home was located in an unincorporated area of the Village.
On Tuesday, Park Forest Fire Chief Mark Cotrano addressed these concerns by emphasizing that residents should call 911 in emergencies or use the non-emergency number, 708-748-4700, regardless of their location within village boundaries. He explained that contacting first responders directly is more effective than posting on social media.
“Oftentimes, people vent on social media about things that are happening in the community, but reaching out to police and fire via calling should be their first line of defense,” Cotrano said. “Posts go viral, but they can also get lost in the shuffle. The Village doesn’t have a team monitoring social media around the clock, so calling is the best option.”
Cotrano noted that officials could not locate the original post and were unable to gather further details or reach out to the concerned resident.
“We want people to understand that if something is actively happening and it concerns safety, the fastest way to get help there is by calling,” he said.
Park Forest’s municipal code prohibits burning garbage, trash, leaves, and yard waste. Outdoor burning is limited mainly to small recreational fires using clean and untreated wood in approved fire pits. Cotrano reiterated this policy: “The Village’s code limits what can be burned outdoors,” he said. “Fire pits may be used only with clean, dry, non-painted or treated wood. Other than that, residents shouldn’t burn other things.”
Burning household garbage or yard debris can pose health risks—especially for those with respiratory issues—and uncontrolled fires may spread quickly during dry or windy weather conditions.
With warmer temperatures encouraging outdoor activity and spring cleanup efforts beginning earlier this year amid dry vegetation conditions, Cotrano cautioned against complacency: “We haven’t seen a significant amount of rain or snow recently,” he said. “When vegetation is dry, it doesn’t take much for a small fire to extend into grass or nearby structures.”
Even properties located in unincorporated areas within village boundaries receive emergency response from local fire services. Cotrano urged all residents not to hesitate when reporting unsafe situations: “If you see something that concerns you, make the call,” he said. “That’s what we’re here for.”
Village officials encourage anyone with questions regarding open burning regulations to contact the Park Forest Fire Department before starting any outdoor fire.
According to information from its official website, Park Forest promotes community health through dedicated programs and has received recognition for its sustainability initiatives in town planning practices. The municipality operates under a council-manager government structure led by a mayor and six trustees (source). Efforts include educational opportunities like its Civic Leadership Academy aimed at addressing community issues (source).
