Spring is peak wildfire season in Pennsylvania. Eighty-five percent of the wildfires in the state occur in March, April and  May. Area foresters are urging residents to be extra careful.

You’d think the woods would have some protection from fire because of all of the snow we’ve had this winter, but  while the ground might be moist, what’s on top may not be.

“The leaf layer, the leaf litter, all those fine fuels dry out the quickest. They carry fire very fast. Dead grass is a fine fuel and you get wind and that in there and the fire will dry that out ahead of time and that’s how it works,” says Mandy Burgoon, Fire/Service Forester, Blair County, Southern Cambria County

All it takes is a spark, and according to Burgoon, 99 percent of the time in Pennsylvania, that’s supplied by people, most often burning yard waste  

She explains, “People are burning their debris they think it’s okay. They go and turn their back and they turn around and their back wood lot is on fire..”

Currently, fire danger is considered moderate in our region, according to the color blue on the fire station sign in Duncansville. The leaves are damp and we are expected to get some snow or rain in the next few days…

However, the color blue means you should restrict outdoor burning to early morning and late evening hours. If that sign turns orange or red, no outdoor burning should take place.