The opening of the traditional trout season April 16, amid a prolonged stretch of sunny, dry and windy days, has prompted Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry officials to urge woodland visitors to guard against wildfire dangers.

DCNR cautioned that despite frequent and heavy rain in recent weeks, lack of green foliage in the spring, scant rainfall, low humidity and sunny, windy days all have increased chances of forest and brush fires spreading. Their cause is almost always traced to one source -- human carelessness, he said. At least 110 fires were reported last week in brush and woodlands across the state.

Nearly 10,000 acres of state forest are burned by wildfires each year, and nearly 85 percent of all fires in Pennsylvania woodlands occur during the months of March, April and May. Almost all of these fires threaten people and their homes, as well as trees and wildlife.

Wildfires are named for their rapid spread through bare vegetation when dry, windy conditions prevail. They are especially troublesome in the spring when wind, dry weather, direct sunlight through bare trees, and the abundance of dead undergrowth all can lead to rapid fire spread. March, therefore, is viewed as the beginning of wildfire season, the most common time of the year for such fires.

State forestry officials urge landowners to check with local municipalities to see if outdoor burning is allowed, and to use extreme caution when burning trash and debris, one of the most common causes of wildfires. Residents are advised to: create “safe zones” around homes and cabins by removing leaves and other debris from the ground and rain gutters; stack firewood away from structures; and trim overhanging branches.

Campers and other state forest visitors are reminded that open fires are forbidden on state forestland when the fire danger is listed as high, very high or extreme.

The Bureau of Forestry is responsible for the prevention and suppression of wildfires on the Commonwealth’s 17 million acres of private and state woodlands.

For more wildfire prevention information, contact local district foresters in the blue pages of your phone book or the Bureau of Forestry at 717-787-2925; or visit DCNR’s Forest Fire Protection webpage.

4/15/2005