The same forests cloaked in wet snow and soaked by heavy rain just one week ago are becoming tinder dry, prompting a call for increased vigilance in this season of rapidly changing weather and rising fire dangers in the state’s wealth of woodlands.

“Yes, snow did recently cover much of northern forests’ floor and, thankfully, rainfall has been abundant across the entire state, but spring is a very fickle season with ever-changing weather,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resource Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. “A recent string of several dry, sunny, windy days has seen forest fire dangers climb rapidly.”

Bureau of Forestry records show weather conditions figured in at least 35 field, brush and forest fires reported across the state last weekend. A 70-acre fire in Lehigh County and a 25-acre blaze in Lackawanna County were among the largest.

“Though forests are a renewable resource, they quickly can be endangered by acts of carelessness,” Secretary DiBerardinis said. “People cause 98 percent of wildfires. A mere spark can touch off a devastating forest blaze during dry periods when conditions are especially ripe for wildfires.”

While there is a lack of green foliage in the spring, DiBerardinis cautioned that scant rainfall and sunny, windy days may increase the chance of forest and brush fires.

Nearly 10,000 acres of forestland in the state 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 wildlife.

“Public understanding and appreciation of our forestlands are powerful wildfire-prevention tools,” Secretary DiBerardinis said. “Precautions must be taken so that we can continue enjoying Pennsylvania’s millions of acres of woodlands, from the smallest suburban grove to sprawling mountain tracts.”

Wildfires are so 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 use extreme caution when burning trash and debris — one of the most common causes of wildfires — and obey local open-burning bans. Residents are advised to create “safe zones” around homes and cabins by removing leaves and other debris from the ground and rain gutters; stacking firewood away from structures; and trimming overhanging branches.

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

DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry is responsible for the prevention and suppression of wildfires on the commonwealth’s 17 million acres of private and state woodlands. The bureau maintains a fire-detection system, and works with fire wardens and volunteer fire departments to ensure they are trained in the latest advances in fire prevention and suppression.

For more information, visit DCNR’s Forest Fire Protection webpage or call the Bureau of Forestry at 717-787-2925.

4/27/2007