Although snow is still on the ground in Schuylkill County, emergency officials have already dealt with several wildfires this month.
According to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, nearly 85 percent of wildfires in Pennsylvania occur during the spring months of March, April and May.
Gov. Tom Corbett has proclaimed this week as "ildfire Prevention Week in Pennsylvania.
John M. Matz, Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency coordinator, said there have only been a few small wildfires reported locally as of Monday, but he will not hesitate to ask the county commissioners for a burn ban if needed.
"Last year, I think we were a little late. If we have to act earlier this year - I know people won't like it - but we will ask for a 30-day burn ban," Matz said Monday.
Last year, according to the DCNR, there were 717 wildfires in State Forest District 18, which consists of Carbon, Columbia, Dauphin, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties. The Schuylkill County commissioners approved a 30-day burn last April.
"We cannot leave it go like we have in previous years. In a weekend we can pick up 40 fires and that puts so much strain on local emergency crews. If the fires pick up, we will go right to the commissioners and ask for a burn ban," Matz said. Under a county burn ban, residents are forbidden to do any outdoor burning of items such as garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter and paper. Grilling in proper containers is still permitted; however, the ban forbids lighting fires in outdoor burn barrels or fire rings. Residents violating a ban can face fines up to $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second and $300 for each additional violation. Violators are also responsible for the cost of extinguishment of any wildfire they cause - which can amount to thousands of dollars.
Schuylkill County also enacted bans on open burning in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Matz said that while recent snowfall has dampened local forests, it may have also provided more fuel for fires when conditions get drier.
"A year ago in October, a snowstorm brought down a lot of branches. Those down branches, still covered in leaves, we think contributed a lot to the problems we had last year," Matz said. "There was so much material close to the ground. We certainly hope we are not in that situation this year."
Matz also had advice for county residents who plan on using controlled burns to dispose of branches, leaves or trash: "I hope everyone is cautious. Use common sense, do not burn when there is a breeze," he said. "It only takes a few people being careless that will cause us to issue a burn ban."
Anglers, campers and other state forest visitors are reminded open fires are prohibited on state forestland from March 1 to May 25, and when the fire danger is listed as high, very high, or extreme, unless authorized by district foresters, officials said. On Monday, the DCNR had central Pennsylvania listed as "moderate" fire danger.
"Last spring brought many brush and woodlands fires, showing us how quickly our wealth of forest resources can be endangered," Corbett said in a press release. "People cause 98 percent of wildfires; a mere spark by a careless person can touch off a devastating forest blaze during dry periods when conditions enable wildfires to spread quickly."
In the release, Corbett said communities in heavily wooded areas are urged to follow wildfire prevention and suppression methods of the Pennsylvania Firewise Community Program to safeguard life and property.
"Common sense can limit the threat of wildfires," Corbett said. "When state residents and forest visitors are careless with burning trash, campfires and smoking, volunteer firefighters often pay the price, answering call after call in woodlands that are ripe for damaging, life-threatening wildfires."
Named for rapid spread through dormant dry vegetation, under windy conditions, wildfires annually scorch nearly 10,000 acres of state and private woodlands, according to the DCNR's Bureau of Forestry.
The bureau is responsible for prevention and suppression of wildfires on the 17 million acres of state and private woodlands and brush lands. The bureau maintains a fire-detection system and works with fire wardens and volunteer fire departments to ensure they are trained in the latest advances in fire prevention and suppression.
For more information about the DCNR or wildfire prevention, call the Bureau of Forestry at 717-787-2925 or visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us.