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Warm, dry weather sparks wildfires in state

Warm, dry weather sparks wildfires in state

A combination of unusually warm, dry weather and more people going outside to enjoy it has resulted in a rash of wildfires across Pennsylvania. At least three homes and 10 outbuildings have been damaged or destroyed statewide.

By Wednesday, the largest ongoing blaze had consumed some 450 acres between Bedford and Raystown Lake in Bedford County, and another scorched more than 70 acres in Tioga County. Since Saturday, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and local fire departments have responded to six forest fires in southwestern Pennsylvania, including one that was contained Sunday in Westmoreland County.

“Most of the fires we’ve seen recently started on Saturday and Sunday,” said Mike Kern, chief of DCNR’s Forest Fire Protection Division, which has authority over forest fire suppression on public and private property in Pennsylvania.

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The fires coincided with the opening of the statewide trout fishing season, but Mr. Kern said there was no evidence connecting the fires to anglers. But it was probable, he said, that all of recent woodland fires were caused by humans.

“We’re actively investigating them. Ninety-five to 98 percent of forest fires in the state are caused by people,” he said. “A very small number start from lightning or other natural causes.”

Most Pennsylvania forest fires are ignited accidentally when burning debris gets out of control. The second-leading cause is arson.

“If a fire was intentionally set, that’s a criminal matter and we’ll prosecute. If the cause of a wildfire was accidental, we don’t treat that as a criminal matter, but we have the authority to [bill the person responsible] to recover the cost of putting the fire out.”

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The fires and continuing threat of dry, warm conditions have prompted regional fire warnings from state and federal authorities. Last week, DCNR issued a fire alert directed to trout anglers, and at state parks and the federally managed Allegheny National Forest near Warren, Pa., fire danger warning signs were set on “high alert.”

John Hayes: 412-263-1991, jhayes@post-gazett.com.

First Published: April 21, 2016, 4:00 a.m.

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