The beautiful weather that has shined upon our landscape has also caused dry conditions across our Nation. Several towns, villages and cities are experiencing low waterways, dry landscapes resulting in burn bans and little precipitation within their forecast.
I recently drove through parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and their dry, brown, parched landscape ached for water. Their mild winter was devoid of snow and/or rainfall resulting in wildfires consuming some 53,000 acres. Large fires are currently burning in Colorado, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Florida. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, only 3 out of the 5 states have their fire contained. Virginia has about 17,700 acres burning at this time with only 35 percent contained.
Many of their local fire departments and highly trained fire personnel have started prescribed fires to reduce the risk of wildfires to surrounding communities. To start a prescribed fire would reduce the fuel load, such as leaf litter, twigs and other woody debris on the forest floor which could cause a catastrophic wildfire ignited by a lightning strike or a cigarette carelessly tossed on the ground.
Therefore, as we look to our high peaks still covered with snow let us not forget how easy a wildfire can consume our beautiful forests. Be mindful of your surroundings and keep up to date with the wilderness conditions and fire danger as you take part in all your outdoor adventures.