As millions of Pennsylvanians prepare to celebrate Independence Day, State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook and DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn are urging residents to leave fireworks displays to the professionals due to ongoing drought conditions and elevated wildfire risks.
“While we remind residents every year that fireworks are not toys, this year has the added risk of inadvertently setting off a wildfire due to lack of rain and dry conditions throughout the state,” said Commissioner Cook. “The safest way to enjoy fireworks during Independence Day is to enjoy fireworks displays managed by professionals.”
National Fire Protection Association statisticsOpens In A New Window show fireworks start more than 18,500 fires per year and cause an average of $43 million in direct property damage.
DCNR reminds Pennsylvanians that 99 percent of wildfires are caused by people.
With especially dry conditions across the Commonwealth in 2023, DCNR is encouraging Pennsylvanians to follow guidance from experts on fireworks and be mindful of local, county and statewide guidance on burning.
“We have seen consistent elevated risks for wildfires this year, forcing our volunteer and wildland firefighters to suppress an unprecedented number of blazes this year,” Secretary Dunn said. “With that in mind, we ask that the public take all necessary precautions to protect the Commonwealth’s lands for the upcoming holiday as we continue to see dry conditions that make fireworks and other fire risks more likely to create wildfires.”
Low precipitation has dramatically increased the number of wildfires in Pennsylvania this year.
There have already been 1,400 wildfires reported statewide so far in 2023, compared to 1,036 in all of 2022.
This year's wildfires have burned more than 8,500 acres, compared to 2,700 acres in 2022.
Source: pa.gov
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sizsus
Categories: Pennsylvania, Rural Lifestyle