Spring is brush fire season, and this time of year represents the greatest danger of wildfires.

Jake Novitsky, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources fire forester for Schuylkill County, said

“I think a lot of the people kind of look at the weather coming up, multiple days in a row later this week, it’s People think it’s OK to burn but the brush dries out quickly.

“Don’t burn on hot, dry, windy days; you want to burn on days that are overcast, lightly raining or during a rain,” he said. If you do burn, keep an eye on it.

Novitsky urged people to have a hose, couple buckets of water, and a rake or a shovel in the event they have to put out little spots.

He added if they do plan on burning, to call their local county nonemergency 911 number and let the county know when they’re going to burn to give them notification.

“That helps out a lot with the volunteer fire departments,” Novitsky said. “They’ll be able to rule other fires out, and if something happens, they’ll have better idea where to go.”

Novitsky stressed that if people end up burning and cause a brush fire, there could be consequences.

“If they end up burning, cause a brush fire, they could be liable for suppression costs, (which) can be pretty pricey,” he said. “And just be mindful where you’re burning, don’t have your burn pile right up to the base of the mountain or up against your sheds.”

Novitsky said they should use a burn barrel, don’t try to burn it on an open burn pit, and to make sure it’s a good 10 to 15 feet of where you’re burning is all clear of any materials, leaves, and grass, things can be combustible.

He noted that back in February, there was one fatality fire in Schuylkill County.

“So far this year, we’ve been getting a lot of rain, a lot of moisture,” he said. “We had more snow this past winter than the last few years.

Standing ready

Jason Behler, fire chief, Palmerton Fire Department, said the department has not had any calls for brush fires, “but that doesn’t mean we haven’t begun to prepare.”

“Every spring, we will take all the tools and all the ladder bags and usually just go over everything and make sure it’s in good operating condition,” Behler said. “Along with that, we usually focus our training efforts, late March early April, around brush fires.”

Behler said that within the past two weeks, the department has been out not only in Palmerton, but also took part with groups “where we basically get together as a group and go over equipment so that way we are prepared for large scale event if we are needed.”

Additionally, Behler said they focus their internal training on Monday nights “for how we would handle a brush fire locally in our coverage area, and establishing water supplies and things like that.”

“It’s more of a seasonal thing, so not something you find yourself encountering every day,” he said. “It’s something we can properly train for in the season.”

Behler offered a few pointers for those thinking about using their burn barrels or fire pits.

“I always suggest there’s no loose leaves around your house, make sure all that vegetation from last fall is away, cleaned up from your house, make sure you’re at least 15 feet or more away from sheds,” he said. “Put a little thought before you go out and light that first fire of the year.”

Danger

Last month, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says

the greatest danger of wildfires in Pennsylvania occurs during the spring months of March, April, and May, and the autumn months of October and November.

In Pennsylvania, 99% of all wildfires are caused by people.

Last year, Pennsylvania had more than 1,900 wildfires that burned 9,186 acres and caused 15 injuries and three deaths.

“Taking the necessary precautions and practicing fire safety will prevent most brush and wildfires,” State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook said. “We want to remind people to be careful with campfires, fireworks, backyard burning and all forms of outdoor open flame to protect our lands and keep our hardworking firefighters safe.”

Debris burning, equipment use, power lines, and campfires, are some of the most common causes of wildfires in Pennsylvania.

Light rainfall in many areas, lack of green foliage in the spring, low humidity and sunny, windy days all combine to increase chances of forest and brush fires spreading.

Such fires are almost always traced to human carelessness.

Those starting a fire at home or at a campsite are encouraged to make sure there are no combustible items within 10 feet of the fire.

Officials recommend checking DCNR’s website to see if there is an elevated fire risk.

DCNR’s website provides information on wildfire safety.

Wildfire prevention is a message brought to people across the country by the well-known figure, Smokey Bear.

Detailed information about wildfire prevention as well as materials for kids and educators is on the Smokey Bear website.