By Kurt Bresswein
The Express-Times
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania is investing $905,846 in 114 volunteer fire companies as the state enters its peak springtime wildfire season.
The funding is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. It aims to help local fire companies purchase wildfire suppression equipment, protective gear, communications tools and training. The grants target rural communities and municipalities with fewer than 10,000 residents.
| DOWNLOAD: Navigating fire service grants: From preparation to rescue-ready equipment
“Making sure our wildfire firefighters are well-equipped and highly trained is essential to protecting our forests and wildlands from both human-caused and naturally occurring fires,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “One of the most meaningful ways we can thank those who battle brush and forest fires across our Commonwealth is by practicing fire safety every day — especially in the spring, when wildfire risk is highest in Pennsylvania.”
Fire companies received grants of up to $15,000 on a 50/50 cost-share basis. Priority went to projects focused on wildfire suppression equipment and protective clothing. The funding can also be used for mobile or portable radios, dry hydrant installation, wildfire prevention and mitigation work, wildland firefighter training and converting vehicles into wildland fire engines.
The program has distributed more than $14 million since it began in 1982.
A DCNR news release on the awards says Gov. Josh Shapiro has prioritized strengthening support for fire departments statewide — for the second consecutive year, his proposed budget includes a $30 million investment for competitive fire company grants, nearly doubling annual funding.
Spring and fall are Pennsylvania’s most active wildfire seasons. March, April, and May present heightened risk due to dry conditions, low humidity and increased outdoor activity. In Pennsylvania, 99% of wildfires are caused by people.
DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry says that on State Forest Lands, fires in fire rings and fireplaces are prohibited from March 1 through May 25.
State forestry officials advise residents to clear the area around fires before starting them, keep fires small and never leave them unattended, consider weather and dryness before starting a campfire, have a nearby water source and rake to extinguish embers, and douse fires thoroughly with water until ashes are cool to the touch.
Residents are also encouraged to create safe zones around homes and cabins by removing leaves and debris, cleaning rain gutters, stacking firewood away from structures and trimming overhanging branches.
Pennsylvania’s career and volunteer firefighters regularly respond to woodland and brush fires statewide, and many deploy with DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry crews to assist with large-scale wildfire response efforts in other states during peak summer conditions.
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