According to the “National Interagency Coordination Center Wildland Fire Summary and Statistics Annual Report 2023,” New York experienced a total of 150 wildfires in 2023, burning 1,383 acres.
Wildfires, often referred to as forest fires, damage thousands of acres of natural resources in New York almost every year. While some wildfires are caused by lightning, most are the result of human activities.
Forest Ranger Lieutenant Timothy “TJ” Carpenter, the Assistant Fire Management Officer for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC), spoke with Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo about how to prevent wildfires and stay safe during the summer season.
Brave.