DCNR Advising Caution as High Danger of Woodland Fire Risk Increases
 DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn is urging Pennsylvanians be mindful of high woodland fire danger as seasonal wildfire risk increases. “Dry conditions across the Commonwealth have led to elevated risks for fires to spread this year,” Dunn said. “We know that a simple act of carelessness when lighting a camp or bonfire could prove disastrous among tinder-dry conditions in some of our forests. Wildfire dangers climb with each day of sun and wind, and we encourage Pennsylvanians to be cautious when lighting fires during these conditions. ”Thousands of acres of state and private woodlands are burned by wildfires each year. Debris burning, equipment use, power lines, and campfires are some of the most common causes of wildfires in Pennsylvania. Light rainfall in many areas, lack of green foliage in the spring, low humidity, and sunny and windy days all combine to increase chances of forest and brush fires spreading. Such fires are almost always traced to human carelessness. “We want to remind people to be careful with campfires and backyard burning so that they can take the proper precautions at all times,” State Forester Ellen Shultzabarger said. “It can help save lives, protect wildlife habitats, and reduce the strain on our hardworking firefighters.”Shultzabarger noted an increase in unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, near the scenes of wildfires, which must follow specific guidelines when flying over public lands, including remaining clear of wildfires. Read more… |