The recent combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and warm breezes has elevated the risk of brush and forest fires across the Commonwealth.
Wildfires often begin unnoticed, but spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. There are three different classes of wild fires:
- 'Surface fires' are the most common type, burning along the forest floor, moving slowly and killing or damaging trees.
- 'Ground fires' are usually started by lightning, burns on or below the forest floor
- 'Crown fires', which spread rapidly by the wind, moving quickly by jumping along the treetops.
Since 80% of forest fires are started by negligent human behavior, such as smoking in forested areas or improperly extinguishing campfires, most wildfires are preventable. The public is urged to obey all burning regulations set in place by public safety officials.
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