In the midst of the spring wildlife season – March through May – the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced that it makes 2 wildlife danger maps available online daily to inform the public to the potential danger from wildfires.
The Observed Wildlife Danger Map show wildlife danger on the day for every county across the state.
The Wildfire Danger Forecast Map shows expected wildfire danger tomorrow.
On both maps, wildlife danger warnings range from low to extreme.
Low – Fuels do not ignite readily from small firebrands although a more intense heat source, such as lightning, may start fires in duff or punky wood. Fires in open cured grasslands may bum freely a few hours after rain, but woods fires spread slowly by creeping or smoldering, and burn in irregular fingers. There is little danger of spotting, which is sparks or embers from an existing fire spreading fire elsewhere.
Moderate – Fires can start from most accidental causes, but except for lightning fires in some areas, the number of starts is generally low. Fires in open cured grasslands will burn briskly and spread rapidly on windy days. Timber fires spread slowly to moderately fast. The average fire is of moderate intensity, although heavy concentrations of fuel, especially draped fuel, may burn hot. Short-distance spotting may occur but is not persistent. Fires are not likely to become serious and control is relatively easy.
High – All fine dead fuels ignite readily, and fires start easily from most causes. Unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. High intensity burning may develop on slopes or in concentrations of fine fuels. Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small.
Very High – Fires start easily from all causes and, immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in light fuels may quickly develop high intensity characteristics such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds when they burn into heavier fuels.
Extreme – Fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious. Development into high intensity burning will usually be faster and occur from smaller fires than in the very high fire danger class. Direct attack is rarely possible and may be dangerous except immediately after ignition. Fires that develop headway in heavy slash or in conifer stands may be unmanageable while the extreme burning condition lasts. Under these conditions the only effective and safe control action is on the flanks until the weather changes or the fuel supply lessens.
In spring, as the sun climbs higher in the sky, days become longer and warmer. The trees are bare, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor, warming the ground and drying surface fuels. Coupled with strong and dry spring winds, that leads to a tremendous amount of combustible fuels.
According to DCNR, 99 percent of all wildfires in Pennsylvania are caused by people.
One of the major causes of forest fires in Pennsylvania is debris burning. A careless person burning trash or yard waste can be responsible for causing wildfires that burn thousands of acres of valuable Pennsylvania forest.
Those fires most frequently start in someone’s backyard and travel through dead grass and leaves into bordering woodlands.
For more information visit DCNR’s Wildfires In PA webpage.
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April 05, 2021 at 04:01PM
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In Pennsylvania wildfire season, state map looks ahead to tomorrow’s dangers - pennlive.com
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