Editorial Fire calls

by Ruth Isenberg

As predicted, the dry hot weather has ignited wildfires, significant enough to cause a smoky haze in the air. The most interesting thing about these fires is that they are not even in this country. The smell of smoke is the result of hundreds of fires in Canada, and it is affecting the entire eastern part of the United States.

The smoke is thick enough to pose a health danger to people with asthma or COPD. In New York City, people are advised to spend no more than 15 minutes at a time outside.

Closer to home, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders postponed their Tuesday night baseball game because of conditions, and local Little League teams cancelled practices.

The same conditions that led to the Canadian fires are present nearby. Everything is dry. Weatherly has imposed a burn ban their phone message advised that there should be absolutely no outdoor burning until further notice. White Haven Volunteer Fire Company has imposed a burn ban for the borough, East Side and Penn Lake. Local fire companies are responding as quickly as possible to reported fires.

Please take this situation seriously. Dry underbrush is everywhere, and it is the perfect fuel to spread wildfires across a wide area. Windy conditions can spread flames fast. Our fire companies are well equipped and well staffed. They do an excellent job, but current conditions are extremely challenging. No matter how much you would like to use a firepit or burn in a burn barrel, it’s not worth the risk of starting a fire it will be hard to put out.