Warming temperatures and drying March winds have again combined to prompt a call for increased vigilance of rising fire dangers across Pennsylvania's as part of Wildfire Prevention Week March 18-24.

"Last spring brought many brush and woodlands fires, showing us how quickly our wealth of forest resources can be endangered by carelessness," Gov. Rendell said. "People cause 98 percent of wildfires. A mere spark by a careless person can touch off a devastating forest blaze when conditions are ripe."

Nearly 85 percent of Pennsylvania's wildfires occur in March, April and May, before the greening of state woodlands and brush lands.

Communities in heavily wooded areas are urged to follow wildfire prevention and suppression methods of the Pennsylvania Firewise Community Program to safeguard life and property.

For more information on Wildfire Prevention Week activities, contact local district foresters, call the Bureau of Forestry at 717-787-2925; or visit DCNR's Wildfire Prevention webpage.

3/16/2007