The PA Forest Heritage Association reported in its September quarterly newsletter this week 11,548 acres were burned in 728 wildfires in Pennsylvania so far in 2016.

This represents a significant increase in acres burned over 2015, when there were 817 wildfires, but 4,165 acres affected.   The fires cost over $2.1 million to extinguish.

It is the largest number of acres burned since 1990.

This year’s largest wildfire burned 8,000 acres in Monroe and Pike counties.  It was the largest in DCNR's history. DCNR is offering a $20,000 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.

NewsClips:

Erie Region At 20-30% Of Fall Foliage Peak Color

Schneck: What Trees Turn Which Colors In Fall?

Related Story:

DCNR Encourages Nominations For Smokey Bear Awards

10/10/2016