North Carolina’s most severe forest-fire season runs from late winter to late spring, meaning the state is in the middle of that season. It’s a season that can result in death, loss of property and destruction of forests and wildlife habitat.

Another fire season occurs in the fall after leaves fall from trees.

Since the North Carolina Forest Service began keeping records of fires on state-owned and private lands in 1928, there is an average of about 4,000 fires burning about 115,000 acres annually, according to the State Climate Office of North Carolina. The peak occurred in 1955 when at least 580,000 acres burned.

“A majority of wildfires in the state are human-caused through careless burning of yard debris such as branches, sticks and leaves, and these fires typically grow to an acre or two in size before they are suppressed,” reads the State Climate Office of North Carolina’s website. That’s right; people are mostly responsible for the state’s wildfires. People aren’t the only factors in such fires, however. Mother Nature, often by way of lightning and drought, has a role in wildfires.

Though controlled burns are used to help reduce the occurrences of wildfires in the state, wildfires are going to happen. Wildfires destroy valuable timberlands, harm the logging industry and destroy wildlife and their habitats. Eradicating wildfires is an impossibility, but reducing the damage that wildfires produce is possible. It takes a commitment to being aware of what measures can be taken to reduce the risk of wildfires.

“North Carolina’s ecosystems are interdependent on fire; it can be used to enhance and maintain their viability or to ultimately destroy them. The future of our ecosystems depends on our ability to use fire smartly, to burn only on days where it’s appropriate to do so, and to combat wildfires safely and aggressively. Please remember to be smart, and prepare before you strike a match,” reads the SCONC website.

That’s excellent advice. It’s up to people to turn that advice into action.

As Smokey Bear says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.” Preach it, Smokey.

For information on preventing forest fires, visit www.smokeybear.com