Reward offered in wildfire arsons
The state Bureau of Forestry is seeking the public's help in its investigation of a series of about 50 suspicious wildfires in April and May that scorched more than 1,000 acres in Schuylkill, Luzerne and Carbon counties.
The bureau is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to arrests and convictions in the arsons.The largest fires burned 674 acres in northern Carbon County near White Haven, and a 184-acre blaze near Shenandoah in Schuylkill County.The fire near White Haven happened in early May near Jack Frost Ski Area in Kidder Township.The Schuylkill County fire started on May 13 and burned about 150 acres in West Mahanoy Township."Circumstances around all of these fires have led us to the conclusion that the fires have been intentionally set. Some of the fires have put lives and property at risk, which is of great concern," said Michael Kern, chief of the bureau's Wildfire Operations and Planning Section. "Intentionally setting a wildfire is arson and we take that very seriously. We are asking for anyone who may have information to come forward."Every forest district in the state has a skilled wildfire investigator, said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources spokesman Terry Brady."They look at lack of weather evidence (for example, whether there could have been lightning strikes from thunderstorms), illegal travel (all-terrain vehicles or dirt bikes being where they aren't supposed to be), recurring fires, and signs of accelerants," he said.Human error is the primary cause of most wildfires, Brady said.This is the first time in Brady's 16-year tenure with DCNR that he's heard of a reward being offered.Wildfires endanger lives, destroy wildlife habitats, stress firefighters and cost significant amounts of money."They are a drain on volunteers," he said. "Those people are running day and night."Information can be given to bureau Special Investigator Terry Smith at 717-362-1472 or
terrsmith@pa.gov. Anonymous tips also will be accepted but do not qualify for the reward.For more information on wildfire prevention, visit