Courtesy Warren County Government
From Warren County...
Warren County fire coordinator warns of fire risk
Recent lack of rain helping fuel fires
QUEENSBURY, N.Y. --- Warren County Fire Coordinator Jay Ogden asked county residents this week to be mindful of current fire danger as dry conditions persist, playing a part in several recent brush fires in the region.
Warren County volunteer firefighters responded to five fires in 18 hours Monday and Tuesday, three of them wildfires in Warren County and adjacent parts of Saratoga County that were fueled by dry conditions.
New York’s annual spring burn ban ended on May 14th, but Ogden asked that Warren County residents continue to be mindful of heightened fire risk.
“It is very dry in our woods now, and that can result in fires spreading very quickly,” Ogden explained. “We ask that anyone who is having a campfire or has a permitted fire to burn brush pay close attention to ensure fire does not spread.”
The public should follow New York State’s fire guidelines, and ensure that any fires, including campfires or bonfires, are closely monitored and fully extinguished to prevent them from spreading. Fallen leaves and dry tinder allow fires to spread quickly.
While wildfires historically haven’t been a major threat in the Southern Adirondacks, they seasonally endanger, and sometimes damage, structures around the region.
Ogden noted that wildfires also require a large amount of volunteer firefighter and state forest ranger response, and can lead to injuries.
Much of Warren County was in a pre-drought condition as of Thursday because of dry weather earlier this spring. Rain in late April and early May helped alleviate the danger for a period of time, but a recent dry spell has increased fire danger once again.