County, DCNR issue outdoor burning advisory

Due to the extended drought conditions, the Warren County Commissioners, Warren County Department of Public Safety and the Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry have issued a burning advisory and recommend that anyone starting an outdoor fire use extreme caution.

DCNR called for the advisory on Friday in the wake of weather conditions and a significant wildfire burning in western Warren County.

The advisory received the full support of the county's fire chiefs as well as the Warren County Commissioners.

Warren County Director of Public Safety Ken McCorrison said that "conditions are expected to be conducive to wildfire spread over the weekend."

The advisory - which is NOT a full burn ban - could remain in place for several weeks depending on weather conditions.

Anyone starting a fire in the coming days is asked to make sure vegetation is cleared around the fire area, keep hand tools and plenty of water on site and, when extinguishing the fire, drown with water, stir ashes with a hand tool, then make sure all coals and embers are completely out and cool to the touch.

According to Pennsylvania statues, "... every person causing a forest fire within this Commonwealth shall be liable to the Commonwealth for all expenses incurred by the Department on account of such fire.

That means that individuals who start wildfires may be held responsible for all suppression costs incurred to extinguish the fire, which may include manpower and equipment costs for volunteer fire companies, forest fire wardens, DCNR and other state agencies, including aircraft costs.

Should a wildfire cause damage to adjacent properties, civil and criminal penalties are possible.