Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness

Wildfires in PennsylvaniaDebris burning is the most common cause of wildfires in Pennsylvania.

A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland or prairie. The greatest danger of wildfires in Pennsylvania occur between the months of March, April and May and the autumn months of October and November. In Pennsylvania 99% of all wildfires are caused by people. Over 1,000 wildfires were reported during the 2022 calendar year burning 2,700 acres of land.

Wildfire Prevention

You can reduce your risk of wildfire by creating a fire-resident zone. 

This is a zone free of the following for at least 30 feet from your home:

  • Leaves
  • Debris
  • Flammable 

A vital part of prevention is education. Whether it is a properly extinguishing a campfire or keeping your vehicle maintained to prevent sparks, following a few simple steps can help prevent wildfires. Learn how to properly use outdoor equipment, burn debris safely, start, maintain and extinguish a campfire and maintain a vehicle and tow safely.Wildfire Home Prevention Home Ignition Zone. Image of a house with zones around it

Wildfire Preparedness

There are several resources for wildfire preparedness including the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources daily Wildfire Danger Map. Other resources include the National Fire Protection Association, the US Fire Administration, FEMA and the Smokey the Bear Campaign.