A Park Forest resident turned to social media over the weekend to raise concerns about a neighbor allegedly burning garbage in a backyard and asked who to contact since the home is located in an unincorporated portion of the Village.
On Tuesday, Park Forest Fire Chief Mark Cotrano said the answer is simple: call 911 in an emergency, or the non-emergency number, 708-748-4700, and first responders will respond — regardless of which side of the county line a resident lives on.
“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 said Village officials were unable to locate the original post to gather more details or contact the resident directly.
“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.
According to Cotrano, burning garbage, trash, leaves, and yard waste is strictly prohibited in Park Forest. The village’s municipal code limits what may be burned outdoors, primarily allowing only small recreational fires in approved fire pits using clean, dry, untreated wood.
“The Village’s code limits what can be burned outdoors,” Cotrano 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 health risks to neighbors and can be a nuisance, especially those with respiratory conditions. Improperly controlled fires can also spread quickly, particularly during dry or windy conditions.
Cotrano noted that with temperatures trending warmer this week, more residents are spending time outdoors and beginning spring yard cleanup. However, he cautioned that recent dry conditions increase the risk of fire spreading beyond its intended area.
“We haven’t seen a significant amount of rain or snow recently,” Cotrano said. “When vegetation is dry, it doesn’t take much for a small fire to extend into grass or nearby structures.”
Even in unincorporated areas within Village boundaries, fire protection services respond to calls for service. Cotrano said residents should not hesitate to report unsafe situations.
“If you see something that concerns you, make the call,” Cotrano said. “That’s what we’re here for.”
Village officials encourage residents with questions about open burning regulations to contact the Park Forest Fire Department directly for clarification before lighting any outdoor fire.