Hudson Valley Upgraded to Very High Risk
New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos
today urged New Yorkers to practice the utmost safety when building campfires, and consider going without a campfire
unless absolutely necessary.
"If you're enjoying the
backcountry these last few weeks of summer, please think about whether
you really need that campfire." Commissioner Seggos said. "It's
been a hot and dry summer, leading to a drought watch and high fire
danger. If you build a campfire, keep an eye on it to make sure the wind
doesn't spread it unexpectedly and when you're finished, make sure the
fire is completely out and cold to the touch."
The entire state is now at
a high risk for fires, and
the Hudson Valley at very high risk, meaning that any outdoor fire can
spread quickly, especially if the wind picks up. Fires may become serious
and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while
small. There are currently six active fires across the state, burning
47.1 acres of land. The majority of those were started by unattended
campfires. Campfires are among the top
five causes of wildfires (PDF). Forest Rangers are
some of the most highly trained wildland firefighters in the country. But
even Rangers can have a difficult time fighting a wildfire, depending on
its size and location. Ranger Quinn explains the challenges faced on a
fire earlier this month in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area on DEC's
Twitter page.
Interview
with Commissioner Seggos is available for
download.
DEC continues to encourage
New Yorkers and visitors to follow the recommendations below to reduce
the risk of wildfires.
While camping in the
backcountry, New Yorkers are advised to:
1. Use
existing campfire rings where possible;
2. Build
campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps,
logs, dry grass, and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire;
3. Clear
the area around the ring of leaves, twigs, and other flammable materials;
4. Never
leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could cause the fire to
spread quickly.
For information on open
burning and campfire safety in New York, go to DEC's Open Burning in New
York and Fire
Safety When Camping webpages.
For further questions about
wildfires, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS and call 911 to report a wildfire.
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