With dry conditions continuing and wind expected over the next few days firefighters are anticipating an increase in brush fire calls.Patch Staff|Updated Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 4:23 pm ETBUCKS COUNTY, PA — With no measurable rainfall in the forecast and dry conditions expected to continue, firefighters are urging residents to guard against accidentally igniting a brush fire.Firefighters from throughout the county have been busy responding to brush fires, ranging from smoldering mulch to all-out brush fires, ...
With dry conditions continuing and wind expected over the next few days firefighters are anticipating an increase in brush fire calls.
Patch Staff
|Updated Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 4:23 pm ET
BUCKS COUNTY, PA — With no measurable rainfall in the forecast and dry conditions expected to continue, firefighters are urging residents to guard against accidentally igniting a brush fire.
Firefighters from throughout the county have been busy responding to brush fires, ranging from smoldering mulch to all-out brush fires, with no relief on the horizon.
Doylestown Borough Fire Marshal Scott Fleischer said on Tuesday that the continued dry conditions over the next several days, coupled with increasing winds, will only make conditions worse.
Forecasters said there's an increased risk of fire spread on Thursday with relative humidity values falling to around 30 to 40 percent across the area. This will be combined with north to northwest winds around 15 mph with 20 to 25 mph gusts, temperatures in the mid to upper 60s, and abundant sunshine. "These conditions will support the spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control," forecasters said.
“The brush fires today have generally been smaller because we don’t have the wind component but starting on Wednesday and going into Thursday, we’re going to have the wind component," said Fleisher. "The ones we had early last week when it was windy, we had equipment coming in from throughout the region and tankers bringing water in. These fires can take a lot of resources and manpower. So be careful what you’re doing outside and be aware of your surroundings.”
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First and foremost, don’t discard cigarettes from the car window, said the fire marshal. He said discarded smoldering butts and matches can easily spark a mulch or brush fire.
Residents should also avoid parking over fallen leaves. He said the heat from a catalytic converter or a muffler can be enough to ignite a fire. “Be very careful parking over dry leaves,” he said.
One man was simply mowing his lawn when his mower hit a rock and ignited some brush, Fleischer relates. The next thing he knew his yard was on fire and firefighters were responding to the scene.
Barbecuing should also be done very carefully or put off until conditions are safe. "Charcoal will drop all kinds of sparks and embers," he said. “Any kind of outdoor cooking should be put off until we get some rain."
Outdoor burning should also be delayed until conditions improve, said Fleisher, noting that many municipalities have already instituted burn bans.
Dry conditions are expected to continue into next week with no rain in the forecast through Tuesday.