The PA Forest Heritage Association reported in its quarterly newsletter this week damage from the 616 wildfires so far in 2016 totaled over $3.4 million and burned 11,291 acres, nearly triple the acreage of last year.  Nine residences were destroyed, along with 18 other structures.

This represents a significant increase in acres burned over 2015, when there were 817 wildfires, but 4,165 acres affected. 

It is the largest number of acres burned since 1990.

This year’s largest wildfire burned 8,000 acres in Monroe and Pike counties.  They were the largest in DCNR's history.    DCNR is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible.

The mission of the PA Forest Heritage Association is to preserve and showcase the heritage of forest conservation and forest fire protection in Pennsylvania.  Visit the Associations’ Discovery Center in Caledonia State Park in Franklin County.

For more information on wildfires and prevention, visit DCNR’s Wildfire in PA webpage.

7/4/2016