A fire forester has added Carbon County to his coverage area.

Jake Novitsky, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources fire forester for Schuylkill and Carbon counties, said this marks his first spring covering Carbon after he replaced his successor who retired in the fall.

“I feel it’s a great honor to be in this position,” Novitsky said. “I like working with all the fire companies; they’re very good at what they do, well-trained, very dedicated, (which) makes everything that much easier.”

Novitsky, of Coaldale, said he has been in the state for a little more than 10 years, has been fighting fires for those 10 years, and has been in District 18 since 2015.

“My job entails wildland fire suppression in District 18, and also involves investigation for those wildfires that I go to,” he said. “I also help train the local volunteer fire departments, and I also help them with getting equipment.”

Novitsky said he has over 100 fire companies in Schuylkill County, and 29 fire companies in Carbon.

Novitsky said that Volunteer Fire Assistance grants opened up for local fire companies; applications are due by the end of May.

“It allows fire companies to put their name in for the grant funds, like a 50/50 match, and are able to buy personal protection equipment to fire pumps, hoses,” he said. “Anything related and geared toward wild lands fire suppression.”

Novitsky shared what he believes are important tips as we approach the middle of fire season.

“Hopefully people don’t burn on dry, windy days,” he said. “If they need to burn, check with their local municipalities if they’re allowed to burn, and if so, try to burn on rainy day; days that aren’t really prone to fire.”

Novitsky said the biggest thing this fire season is to make sure people are burning responsibly.

“Our main cause of wildfires in the state of Pennsylvania is debris burning,” he said. “People think its OK to burn after a morning or night rain, but it doesn’t take much for the sun to dry out your flashy fuels (like your one-hour fuels, short and tall grass, leaf litter); they’re your main carrier for wildfire.”

Novitsky cautioned that those who decide to burn should make sure they’re burning in a fire ring or burn barrel, that at least 10 to 15 feet around that area is clear of debris.

“Be mindful of burning,” he said. “We had so many fires this spring (94 fires, have about 60 just in the Carbon and Schuylkill area since January) as soon as it’s warm, dry, and windy.”