READING, April 11, 2012 — As firefighters continue to manage a wildfire in southeastern Berks County, state Sen. Judy Schwank reminds residents to be extra cautious about preventing a wildfire.
“A warm winter and dry, windy spring have become favorable conditions for wildfires in Berks County, as we’re now seeing in French Creek State Park,” Schwank said. “Because the plant life in our parks and forests is still dry and dormant, these fires can catch easily and spread rapidly, threatening wildlife, residential communities and the safety of our firefighters. It’s extremely important that all citizens take precautions to prevent a fire, whether they live in an urban, suburban or rural community.”
Nearly 85 percent of Pennsylvania’s wildfires occur in March, April and May and scorch 10,000 acres of woodlands across the state every year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry. Open fires are prohibited in state forestland from March 1 to May 25.
Even careless cigarette smoking can be dangerous said Schwank, who noted that a lit cigarette that was discarded in a flower bed at her Reading district office started a small fire a few months ago.
“Forest fires are certainly a major risk but garden beds and roadside areas are also very dry and possibly flammable,” Schwank said. “I urge everyone to be conscious about preventing a fire, whether they are considering building a campfire, burning trash or flicking a cigarette. A fire can happen anywhere, especially in this dry, windy weather.”