Prevention
“Only you can prevent wildfires!” – Smokey Bear’s message is important on the Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests as most of the fires in the Northeast are human caused, with exception of a few lightning caused fires.
Vermont and New York are not known for their wildfires, however, wildfires can and do happen on the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests. Most wildfires on the forests are from unattended campfires. It is common for users to think they have extinguished their campfire before leaving, only for the fire to reignite later.
The Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests fire team works with a host of organizations in fire prevention, most notably the Northeast Forest Fire Prevention Compact.
Local Fire Conditions
Always check local fire restrictions before burning. Although the forest may look green, it may actually be drier than expected. Keep in mind that you may not be able to see other fire hazards such as roots buried beneath the soil. In dry conditions, fires can burn underground and resurface.
It is also possible for conditions to change daily; it may have been safe to burn last weekend, but not safe the following weekend.
- New York State Open Burning Regulations and Fire Danger Levels
- Vermont State Open Burning Regulations and Fire Danger Monitoring
Campfires
Obey any restrictions on fires.
- New York State Open Burning Regulations and Fire Danger Levels
- Vermont State Open Burning Regulations and Fire Danger Monitoring
Build fires only in fire rings, stoves, grills, or fireplaces provided for that purpose whenever possible.
Use dead or downed wood to build your fire. Do not cut live trees or transport firewood over long distances.
- Why it’s important to “buy it where you burn it.”
- Finger Lakes Special Order: Order 2011-01 Transportation of Firewood
- Green Mountain Special Order: Order 2009-01 Firewood Closure
Keep your fire small, not tall.
- Get tips about preparing a campfire safely from Smokey Bear.
Be sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving.
- Drown, Stir, Repeat: Drown your fire with water, stir the ashes, and feel the temperature in the fire pit. If it is still warm, repeat until cold.
Additional Prevention Tips
To mitigate the risk of wildfires, visitors to the forests are encouraged to:
- Completely extinguish all campfires, both in established campsites and dispersed sites, as well as picnic areas. Fires should be doused with water and stirred to mix ashes and water until the 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. This applies to ashes from charcoal grills as well.
- Never discard ashes from campfires, charcoal grills, woodstoves, or cigarettes on vegetation or organic soils.
- Refrain from smoking in areas with flammable vegetation or organic soils. Cigarette butts and ashes should never be discarded on forest regardless of location. If you packed it in, please pack it out.
- Do not drive off established forest roads or park on top of vegetation, as heat from mufflers and engines can ignite vegetation that touches them. Please consult the Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps for designated routes.
- When operating chainsaws, generators, and power equipment ensure that you have required spark arrestors and supplies (shovel, water fire extinguishers) to deal with a fire if one should start.
- If you encounter a wildfire on forest, please dial 911 to report the fire and be prepared to give location of the fire and other pertinent information for first responders
- During times of elevated fire danger or drought, please contact a local Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests office regarding potential fire restrictions.
Fire Triangle
To have a fire there has to be heat, fuel, and oxygen present. There does not need to be flames for there to be a fire; if all three components of the “fire triangle” are still present, fire is still possible. That is why it is not enough to simply put out the flames.
If it is hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
For more tips on preventing wildfires, visit the Smokey Bear’s “Fire Prevention” website.
Active Wildfires
InciWeb is an interagency all-risk incident information management system that serves to provide the public a single source of information about active fire incidents.
Air Quality
AirNow is a centralized source for air quality data, reported using the official U.S. Air Quality Index from locations all across the country.
New York Fire Danger Status
New York State Open Burning Regulations and Fire Danger Levels
Vermont Fire Danger Status
Vermont State Open Burning Regulations and Fire Danger Monitoring
Reporting Fires
To report a wildfire, call 911 immediately.
Wildland Fire Careers
The Forest Service employs approximately 10,000 personnel annually who serve in various positions within our wildland fire program. Positions include wildland firefighter, dispatcher, prevention technician, fuels management, and more.