No burn ban, though authorities ‘highly advise’ against debris burning, campfires
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The burn scar is seen from a brush fire in Ashland on Feb. 26, 2023.
SHENANDOAH – Authorities are strongly advising against debris burning and campfires as our area continues to experience a dry spell.
The Schuylkill County Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) issued a joint advisory Friday.
On the recommendation of District Forester of the Weiser Forest District, PA DCNR and Schuylkill County Office of Emergency Management, we highly advise against Debris Burning or Campfires in the county,” Jake Novitsky, Schuylkill County Fire Forester, and John Blickley, Director of Emergency Management, said. “Please consider these restrictions in the interest of your neighbors, safety for our communities, and to reduce added strain on limited resources during this prolonged dry spell.”
Little to no rain is expected in the next week, leading DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry to upgrade their preparedness letter.
Uncontrolled brush and woodland fires, the agencies say, puts a tremendous strain on firefighters, endanger watersheds, and pose a threat to residential areas.
No county-wide burn ban is in effect.
Several local municipalities, like Shenandoah and West Mahanoy Township, prohibit open burning regardless.
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