DEC warns extreme caution with outdoor campfires amidst dry fall weather stretch
Even though rain looks a little more promising in the forecast, officials say it is still very dry and the New York State DEC is urging the public to be extremely careful with any outdoor fires.
As of this publication, much of the state is abnormally dry and DEC officials say the overall status for this time of year is elevated beyond what it normally is.
With most of the foliage gone here in the North Country, fire risks will continue to be a concern until replenishing rains arrive.
In recent weeks, DEC Forest Rangers have responded to multiple wildfires and encountered causes including unattended or improperly extinguished campfires.
The DEC claims how people can often think a fire has been extinguished, but in dry conditions, hot embers burn into the ground where they can smolder for days or even weeks before being detected as a wildfire.
If you feel strongly that you must have a campfire, DEC officials strongly urge folks to keep them small and extinguish them completely.
To properly extinguish a campfire, pour copious amounts of water on the fire, stir any remaining coals to mix the water into the fire bed, and make sure the fire is cool to the touch before leaving it.
Some helpful wildfire prevention tips:
- Completely extinguish all campfires. Fires should be doused with water and stirred to mix ashes and water until ashes are cool enough to touch with the back of your hand. Remember, if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
- Never discard ashes from campfires, charcoal grills, woodstoves, or cigarettes on vegetation or the forest floor.
- Refrain from smoking in areas with flammable vegetation or organic soils. Cigarette butts and ashes should never be discarded in the forest regardless of location. If you carry it in, carry it out!
- Do not drive off an established road or park on top of vegetation. Hot mufflers and catalytic converters can ignite vegetation that touches them.
- When operating chainsaws, generators, and other power equipment, ensure it has a functioning muffler with spark arrestor. Have supplies (shovel, water, fire extinguisher) to deal with a fire if one should start.
- Check local regulations for your intended destination for any additional restrictions on fires.
- Make sure that all vegetation and flammable material are far away from your fire.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Always be careful with fire.
- And “Remember…Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.”
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