“I saw a lot of smoke and the whole hillside was on fire,” said Jake Novitsky, a fire forester with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He was one of the first responders to brush fires near Vulcan Hill in Mahanoy City on May 4, where around 15 to 17 acres burned.
“The steep terrain made it tough for us,” Novitsky explained. Firefighters struggled as flames surged through dry leaves and stressed plants. Ground crews used various vehicles while aerial support fought the blaze from above.
But experts warn that the conditions fueling these fires—dry land, unpredictable rainfall, and ongoing drought—are becoming the norm, not the exception.
Drought and Changing Patterns
According to statistics from the DCNR, Pennsylvania recorded 1,536 wildfires in 2025, scorching over 5,500 acres. This was higher than the state’s average of 1,257 fires and about 4,300 acres burned each year. The fires are part of a larger trend affecting fire behavior statewide.
Currently, Schuylkill County is under drought warning. Novitsky shared that recent rains haven’t significantly helped restore moisture in forests. “It’s just enough to keep things in check, but we’re not out of the woods yet,” he noted, explaining that during drought conditions, fires can spread rapidly.
“Fire can spread the size of a football field in minutes,” he warned.
Irregular Rainfall is the New Normal
Rain patterns are changing, arriving in sudden bursts followed by long dry spells. This creates a landscape ripe for ignition, even when annual rainfall seems adequate. “We can have rain for a week, then go weeks without any,” Novitsky said, emphasizing the dangers of this inconsistency.
Dr. Erica Smithwick, an expert in fire ecology, echoes these concerns. “More variability in rainfall increases the risk of fires,” she stated. This shift can lead to dangerous conditions where dry vegetation accumulates, setting the stage for larger fires later in the year.
A Shifting Fire Season
Historically, Pennsylvania’s wildfire season peaked in spring, but this is changing. “We’re noticing more fires in fall,” Novitsky said, linking it to summer rainfall shortages that leave dry fuels going into autumn. Smithwick added that lush spring foliage can quickly become abundant fuel when drought hits.
Majority of Fires Are Human-Made
Most wildfires in Pennsylvania are started by human activity. The leading cause is debris burning, according to the DCNR. “People are the main source of ignition,” Smithwick said. However, once a fire starts, weather and fuel conditions heavily influence its intensity and spread.
Frank Zangari Jr., President of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association, believes many of these fires could be avoided. “These fires don’t care if your house burns.”
Overburdened Volunteer Firefighters
In Schuylkill County, almost all firefighting is done by volunteers, and they’re feeling the pressure. Zangari noted a decline in volunteers despite increased demand. “Back in the ’70s and ’80s, we had more manpower,” he said. Today, many volunteers juggle multiple jobs, making it tough to respond quickly to fires.
The May 4 incidents required a coordinated response from several departments, exposing weaknesses in the system. “If we’re busy with brush fires, we might not be available for house fires or serious accidents,” Zangari said.
An Uncertain Future
Experts warn that Pennsylvania is entering a period of greater fire volatility due to climate change, drought, and human actions. It’s not just about wildfires becoming more common; it’s that the conditions are less predictable. As we move forward, adapting our response to these changing circumstances will be key.
Systems created for past challenges may struggle against the new reality we face. The need for preparedness and community awareness has never been more critical.
For more insights into wildfire prevention and management in Pennsylvania, you can refer to the DCNR’s official website.
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