Burn Bans
Burn bans
are a tool used to protect life, property, and natural resources from wildfire.
Ninety-eight percent of the wildfires in Pennsylvania are a direct result
of people’s actions, and place emergency responders directly in harm’s
way. They also tie up emergency responders and apparatus that serve the
community in the event of traffic accidents, house fires, and
other emergencies.
Burn Ban
Definition
"Open
burning" is defined as the ignition and subsequent burning of any
combustible material (garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetative
matter involved with land clearing, or any sort of debris) out-of-doors, either
in a burn barrel or on the ground.
The use of
propane or gas stoves, charcoal briquette grills, or the use of tobacco in any
form is not covered under county burn bans. Camp fires are allowed in the
fire rings that confine and contain the camp fire in a designated state,
federal, or Department of Environmental Protection licensed campground.
Burn Bans Currently in Place in
Pennsylvania
If you
plan to burn, be sure to check with your local authorities to confirm burning
is permitted.
Burn bans
currently in place:
Local municipalities
and county offices may have additional burning restrictions or ban
information.
County Burn Bans
County burn bans on open burning can be
put in place at the request of the district fire warden (usually the district forester),
after at least 10 fire chiefs or 50 percent of the fire chiefs in the county,
whichever is less, recommend and request the imposition of a temporary
countywide burn ban on open fires.
Any burn
ban imposed under this section (Act 1995-52) shall remain in effect for no more
than 30 days. County commissioners, upon recommendation of the district forester,
may extend the ban for up to an additional 30 days.
State Burn Bans
State bans must be implemented by a Governor's
proclamation. State bans prohibit smoking of tobacco in any form and
building of camp fires or burning of brush and other debris within woodlands or
within 200 feet of woodlands within any county of the commonwealth.
Wildfire Danger Ratings
The danger of wildland fire in different habitats
under different weather conditions is rated from low to extreme by the U.S.
Forest Service-Wildland Fire Assessment System (WFAS). The most recent observed
conditions and a short term forecast are posted daily by the WFAS.
