The National Weather Service State College has issued a Fire Weather Watch in effect from noon until 8 p.m. today.
“It has been hot and it has been dry,” Joe Ceru, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service State College, said Monday.
He said the watch is a notice before a possible red flag warning. The watch means conditions could develop that may lead to the rapid spread of wildfires. So far, the forecast is for winds from the northeast at 10 to 15 miles per hour and gusts of 20 to 25 miles per hour for today. Humidity is also forecast to be low, about 20 to 30 percent. The peak wind gusts could occur between 1 and 6 p.m. Due to conditions, prescribed burns could get out of control. Outdoor burning is not recommended, the NWS said.
The NWS said a red flag warning occurs when an area has been dry for a time period and there is a sustained wind average of 15 mph or more, relative humidity is less than or equal to 25 percent and temperatures are higher than 75 degrees.
Ceru said conditions could call for such a warning within the near future. Temperatures today could reach a high near 66 degrees and 15 mph winds with gusts up to 23 mph. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday also are in the 60s. The forecast for Friday is near 70.
Steven Ziegler, fire forester with the Weiser Forest District, which is District 18 and encompasses seven counties including Schuylkill, is concerned about the dry conditions.
“All it takes is one spark,” Ziegler said.
He said the dry conditions, low humidity and other factors contribute to the unease.
“People don’t seem to realize how dry it is,” he said.
This weekend he was out at several brush fires in the county, some of which were caused by debris burning. He said debris burning is the number one cause of fires in Pennsylvania, followed by arson. He said it is best not to burn debris at all and to use an appropriate container such as a burn barrel if a fire is necessary. There should be sufficient clearance, about 10 feet, around the barrel to limit fire exposure. A mesh screen should be used to catch any embers, and water should be nearby if needed.
He said if the fire gets out of control, call 911.
“We think conditions have reached a point where we think they should put in a county burn ban,” Ziegler said.
Tim Ladner, district forester with the Weiser Forest District, said the threat of fire danger is real. He sent a letter to John Matz, Schuylkill County emergency management coordinator, a couple weeks ago saying they recommend a burn ban. The Schuylkill County commissioners have not issued one, and Matz hasn’t forwarded the information to the fire chiefs yet. Ten fire chiefs must approve such a ban.
If a burn ban were issued, it would be in effect for 30 days and prohibit outdoor burning. Businesses could apply for an exemption.
“I’ve been tracking the brush fires in the county,” Matz said Monday, adding staff have been busy with the disaster declaration issued by President Barack Obama for the snowstorm in January.
Matz said he takes the issue seriously and is continuing to monitor the situation. He said a burn ban is typically issued when there is a strong spike in brush fires and conditions warrant one.
“It’s not off the table,” he said.
Burn bans were issued in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Matz provided a breakdown of brush fires in the county: 178 in 2015; 166 in 2014; 146 in 2013; 183 in 2012; 130 in 2011; 179 in 2010.
There have been 34 brush fires from Jan. 1 to March 31, Matz said. There have been numerous fires in April, he said. He urged anyone doing outside burning to “be very cautious.”
This past weekend, there was one brush fire in Branch Township on Saturday; one each in Washington, Schuylkill, North Manheim, Wayne and Cass townships; two in Shenandoah; one in Minersville; and two in Pottsville near 20th St., Matz said.
Pottsville Fire Chief Todd March agreed the weather conditions are conducive to brush fires and he supports a countywide burn ban.
Outdoor burning is prohibited in Pottsville.
“It is extremely dry. People should not be burning outside in this kind of weather,” he said.