DCNR: High fire danger for region Wednesday
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Flames can be seen burning a tree, surrounded by charred ground, at the scene of a brush fire in North Union Township on Feb. 15, 2023.
SHENANDOAH – Dry weather and high winds are contributing to a high wildfire risk in Schuylkill, Northumberland, Columbia, and Luzerne counties Wednesday.
The state Bureau of Forestry has all of our counties — in fact, all of Pennsylvania except Forest, Warren, Elk, and McKean — in a high fire danger category.
The National Weather Service at State College specifically warned of elevated risk of wildfire spread in Schuylkill and Northumberland.
“Minimum relative humidity values dip into the 30 to 40 percent range this afternoon accompanied by wind gusts between 15 and 25 MPH,” the weather service said in a special weather statement. “Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches. If dry grasses and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have the potential to spread rapidly.”
We are in Pennsylvania’s late brush fire season. DCNR and the state fire commissioner say the greatest wildfire danger in Pennsylvania is in the spring — March, April and May — and the fall — October and November. They also say 99 percent of all wildfires in the state are caused by people, and thousands of acres burn each year.
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. Additionally, it is recommended to have a rake or shovel along with water to properly suppress the embers of a fire.
Finally, officials recommend checking DCNR’s website to see if there is an elevated fire risk.
A reminder that Shenandoah borough and West Mahanoy Township have year-round burn bans by ordinance.
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