With out-of-control wildfires in the news, you have to be more careful than ever. WNBG reports that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reminded everyone that a burn ban goes into effect, starting March 16 until May 14. This season's lack of snowpack has also caused fires to pop up earlier and more frequently, says WNBG.

However, the New York State DEC reiterates that the burn ban is important because "most of our fires are human-caused fires." The following case is just another example.

See Also: Wildfires Lead to Hazy Skies Over Parts of New York State

The New York DEC says that they received a call from the Wellsburg Fire Department for assistance on February 28.

Person Ticketed For Fire in New York State 

Forest Rangers said they assisted with a wildfire in Ashland, NY believed to have been started by a person. Note: this particular Town of Ashland is located in Chemung County, not the one in Greene County. 

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Rangers walked the perimeter of the 12-and-a-half-acre fire to determine its size and issued tickets to the responsible party for endangering the property of another and setting a fire without clearing three feet of inflammable materials.

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See Also: What Was New York State's Biggest Wildfire of All Time?

10 Tips To Prevent Wildfires

Smokey The Bear said it best, "only you can prevent wildfires." Well, it's a lot easier said than done, Smokey. Great name for a bear trying to warn us about fire hazards, by the way.

In order to prevent wildfires, you have to first know how they can be prevented. Here are 10 tips provided by the Department Of Interior that will help you in your every day life, so you can enjoy being outside, camping, and having bonfires without it turning into a problem.

Here are their 10 tips, along with some simplified explanations from me.

Gallery Credit: Cort Freeman

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said in 2023 their Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, and participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land.

See Also: New York State Takes Huge Step To Fight Increasing Wildfires

See How Firefighters Fight Fires Around the World

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