With wildfire season impending, local forest officials say precautions, preparedness and a plan are key to handling forest fires.

Joe Kellert, assistant district forester in charge of operations at the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said on Monday that the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry prepares every year for wildfires — especially for the spring fire season.

“We go through the same routine every spring — within each forest district we have different pump units, hand tools, chainsaws, training that we as staff members go through,” Kellert said. “The state actually puts on contract several airplanes and helicopters across the state in case the need for water drops arises.”

He said the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry is charged by law to suppress any and all wildfires.

“We also rely on local volunteer fire departments, and often they get there before we do. But, if it is a fire that is out of control and they need assistance, that’s when we come in,” Kellert explained.

Meanwhile, Allegheny National Forest Public Affairs Officer Ruth Sutton said, each year, their firefighters are required to attend an annual fire refresher, reviewing the specifics of how the Forest Service intends to manage fires, the previous fire season and past fire incidents, numerous procedures and communication exercises, as well as fire shelter deployment.

Finally, the firefighters must take an annual fitness test called the Work Capacity Test, which measures their endurance and fitness level. The test is a 3-mile hike carrying a 45 pound pack that must completed within 45 minutes, according to Sutton.  

She said the Forest Service’s annual fire refresher materials are pretty much standard across the country, but specific local or regional issues are also incorporated.  

“On the Allegheny, we incorporate local issues such as fighting fires in the oil and gas developments and reviewing MIST (minimum impact suppression tactics) protocols for fighting fires in wilderness and natural research areas where the Allegheny has several of these areas within our proclamation boundaries,” Sutton explained.  

According to Kellert, firefighting is one of the more dangerous parts of working for the Bureau. In this hilly region, steep terrain and deep valleys make many locations inaccessible.

“The workload itself is very arduous,” he said. “And, it can be very expensive bringing in aircraft for water drops.

“If the Bureau responds to a fire and finds out through investigation someone caused the fire, we do charge that individual with suppression costs,” Kellert added, noting it would be unfair to rest the financial burden on the taxpayers.

In readying for wildfires this spring, officials looked to early projections that indicated the fire season would start early due to a mild winter, according to Sutton.

However, it has been a cold and wet spring on the ANF so far, so it seems the recent second bout of winter has had an upside — the snow and rain may have actually improved the outlook for this spring wildfire season, at least delaying the number fire days a bit longer.

“Initially, it was looking like we were going to have a pretty busy season, but thanks to the snow and wet weather it’s not as dry out there and prone to fires,” Kellert said. “We hope the warm weather ahead will put some leaves on the trees and provide canopy cover that gives shade and allows the duff layer, the organic material, to retain its moisture.”

He said a good snowfall throughout the winter — which the region didn’t get this year — helps to pack the leaves down and ward against fires sparking as easy.

“The leaves had the opportunity to get fluffy and they’ll dry out quicker because they’re not compressed,” Kellert explained. “This time of year, it doesn’t take long for fire danger to escalate, especially on the southern slopes that get the most sun, and spring is pretty gusty, increasing the drying time. Everything is accelerated in spring.”

Sutton said the fire season will begin when spring “finally arrives,” and it will last until the foliage and trees are in full “green up.”

The DCNR maintains a fire danger rating system with signs depicting Smokey Bear and indicating low, moderate or high levels of fire danger in different areas of Pennsylvania’s state parks, according to Kellert. He said these help indicate whether individuals should avoid burning in certain conditions.

“Essentially, looking at the extended (weather) forecast, we’ll be back in the fire season by Wednesday or Thursday. Moderate, even high, the way the temperatures are looking and lack of precipitation,” Kellert said.

“I would ask that everybody please be very cognizant of what they’re doing with fire, open fires, burn barrels, campfires, burning brush.. make sure it’s extinguished and don’t leave it unattended,” he said. “Just because there’s no flames, doesn’t mean it’s out — with winds, hot coals and embers, it doesn’t take long for it to kick into the dry leaves.”

Sutton said, over the years, fire preparedness on the federal forest lands has changed.

According to Sutton, in the past, firefighters would go and fight fires aggressively and save every acre of land, but today they incorporate “risk management” protocols, where firefighters adhere to measuring values at risk before firefighters engage in suppression work.  

“The Forest Service is taking a hard look to protect its firefighters and requiring that first responders complete a risk management analysis when formulating their suppression plans before firefighters engage so ‘everyone comes home’ at the end of day,” she said. “Fire leaders are being asked to adhere to the following priorities for fire suppression: Life, property, and natural resources.”

In the old days, fire towers were used to monitor large tracts of forest for the presence of fire, but there are no longer any active fire towers being used on the ANF, according to Sutton.

She said most fires are reported by the public using the 911 call system, but during high fire danger — where there are three or more days of dry weather and windy conditions — the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry contracts a reconnaissance flight to fly over the county to look for fires.

The biggest fire on the Allegheny National Forest was a 600-acre fire near Tidioute in 1990, according to Sutton, though she noted a 23,000-acre fire near Ridgway back in the 1920s.

Looking to the use of fire as a management tool on the ANF, Sutton said the Forest Service has planned a prescribed burn of 90 acres in the Buzzard Swamp area of the Marienville Ranger District. The goal of the prescribed fire — which can only be carried out if conditions are favorable — would be to re-invigorate existing warm season grasses, which are the preferred habitat for ground nesting birds, and setting back cool season grasses, according to Sutton.

She said other anticipated prescribed burns include 12 acres in Spring Creek and 25 acres in Upper Millstone projects — also in the Marienville district and having the same objectives as Buzzard Swamp.  

Finally, Sutton mentioned the Forest Route 424 project is an oak understory burn of 85 acres to favor oak seedling establishment over shade tolerant hardwood species such as maple and birch. This project is on the Bradford Ranger District and is located near the Jakes Rock recreational area, she said.