(WHTM) — Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced that campfires will be prohibited on state park and forest lands until further notice and encouraged Pennsylvanians to avoid burning on all lands due to the extremely dry conditions across the Commonwealth.
Unseasonably warm temperatures and low humidity have significantly heightened wildfire risk despite the heavy rain and flooding over the summer. The 10-day forecast for most of Pennsylvania predicts little or no precipitation, worsening the already heightened situation.
Pennsylvania has experienced 100 reported wildfires in the past week, with many more unreported. Several volunteer firefighters were injured in blazes this weekend and these ongoing wildfires have strained state and local resources, according to DCNR.
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“Leaf litter, fine twigs, and dried branches are prime fuel sources for a fire that could get out of control—when mixed with our current dry conditions, we have a potential recipe for disaster,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “I encourage Pennsylvanians to avoid burning on all lands, as it is the best way to protect the people putting their lives in danger to keep our Commonwealth safe from wildfires.”