Burning leaves may seem like the easiest and most economical way of eliminating the seasonal nuisances, but Ames residents caught in the act may have to pay as much as $500 for the convenience.

Ames Fire Chief Clint Petersen said people will be asked to stop burning their leaves and will face punishment if they don’t comply.

“The fines are progressive and start at $75 and go up to $500,” he said.

Petersen said the ordinance, which prohibits leaf and lawn clippings from being burned on property in Ames city limits, was formed two years ago after some residents became concerned about environmental issues surrounding leaf burning.

“Several Ames citizens brought this issue to the [City] Council because they were concerned with the pollution of air in Ames,” he said.

Since the ordinance was enacted, Petersen said complaints from residents have been down, and the number of responses to leaf burning has been “way down.”

“Some people still don’t realize the ordinance has changed,” he said.

Residents can burn leaves only in the case of an emergency declared by the city manager, Petersen said.

“The only approval is if there is a severe emergency, such as a tornado,” he said, in which case many trees may be down and leaves scattered everywhere.

As an alternative to burning, a program titled “Leaf Relief” is sponsored by the city for residents.

Paul Wiegand, director of Public Works, said for a fee of $30, residents can rake all their leaves between the curb and the sidewalk and the city then will vacuum the leaves from the desired area.

Residents who want this service can call 239-5550 to set up a time for their yard to be cleaned.

Wiegand said all twigs and branches must be out of the pile for the city to remove the leaves.

In addition to “Leaf Relief,” there are four “free-leaf days,” he said, which enable residents to bring their leaves to the Ames yard waste disposal sight, 2101 Watt St., to drop them off. These days are Oct. 23 and Oct. 30, as well as Nov. 6 and Nov. 13.

Any questions regarding the free leaf days should be directed to the yard waste disposal sight at 232-5864.