This week, Cindy Adams Dunn, the Secretary of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook, advised people in Pennsylvania to be cautious of the higher risk of forest fires as the seasonal danger of wildfires goes up.
Dunn expressed concern that a small mistake when starting a campfire or bonfire could be catastrophic due to extremely dry conditions in some forests. She encouraged people in Pennsylvania to be careful when starting fires in order to protect lives, wildlife habitats and natural resources.
Wildfires in Pennsylvania are most likely to occur in March, April, May, October, and November. Human activity causes 99% of wildfires in the state.
Certain factors are needed for a wildfire to happen:
• A fuel source, such as dried grass or leaves.
• Dry conditions, including low humidity.
• An ignition source to start the fire.
• Windy weather can make wildfires spread more quickly out of control.
Every year, thousands of acres of both state and private forests are burned by wildfires. Last year, Pennsylvania experienced over 1,900 wildfires burning 9,186 acres, resulting in 15 injuries and three deaths.
Cook stated that taking necessary precautions and observing fire safety measures can prevent most brush and forest fires. He reminded people to be cautious with campfires, fireworks, backyard burning, and any type of outdoor open flame to protect the land and keep firefighters safe.
Debris burning, equipment use, power lines, and campfires are common causes of wildfires in Pennsylvania. In many areas, light rainfall, lack of green foliage in spring, low humidity, and sunny, windy days all increase the risk of forest and brush fires. Human carelessness is almost always the cause of such fires.
People are advised to make sure there are no flammable items within 10 feet of the fire when starting a fire at home or at a campsite.
It is also recommended to have a rake or shovel along with water to properly put out the embers of a fire.
Lastly, officials suggest checking the DCNR’s website to see if there is a high fire risk.
Other tips for preventing wildfires include:
• Checking the weather forecast for conditions that may support rapid fire spread outdoors, especially during a Red Flag Warning, and avoiding fires on these days.
• Making sure the area is not under a burn-ban, where outdoor fires are not allowed.
• Clearing the area around the fire before starting it.
• Keeping the fire small and never leaving it unattended.
• Before lighting a campfire, considering whether the weather is too warm, dry, or windy for a fire, and making sure the surrounding area is clear of leaves and other flammable items.
• Ensuring there is a source of water (bucket or hose) nearby and a rake to put out any embers that might escape.
• When finished with the fire, extinguishing it with water until all the ashes are cool to the touch.
Residents are also advised to make "safe zones" around homes and cabins by clearing leaves and other debris from the ground and rain gutters, moving firewood away from buildings, and trimming overhanging branches.
Understanding how common a disease is
concerning wild turkeys in Pennsylvania
Researchers from Penn Vet’s Wildlife Futures Program are working together with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Penn State on a multi-year study of turkeys.
Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) has been known to affect domestic turkeys in the U.K., Austria, the Netherlands, and Israel since the 1970s. However, it was not detected in wild turkeys in North America until 2009, making it a relatively new retrovirus that leads to organ and skin tumors for researchers.
Erick Gagne, a professor of wildlife disease ecology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, explains that the disease can result in cancer in some cases.
Despite this, the extent of the disease in Pennsylvania wild turkeys, its impact on population, and co-occurrence with other diseases such as reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) remain unknown. Gagne and other researchers from the Wildlife Futures Program at Penn Vet are trying to answer these questions.
Gagne and Eman Anis, an assistant professor of microbiology at Penn Vet, are leading the Wild Turkey Health Project, which is Penn’s contribution to a larger, multi-year study on turkeys in cooperation with Penn State and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
To study movement patterns and habitat use, Game Commission researchers are attaching GPS trackers to turkeys. These trackers provide information about location and movement, including nesting and mortality events.
Mary Jo Casalena, a wild turkey biologist for the Pa. Game Commission, wonders, “Is the movement through the landscape as well as habitat usage different between turkeys with LPDV and other viruses, and those with co-infections?” This is the first large-scale disease project examining the impact of LPDV and other viruses on reproduction and survival at the population level.
The project originated from significant differences in turkey populations across Pennsylvania over the past decade — some are increasing, stable, or declining. The Game Commission wants to understand the reasons behind this variation.
Erick Gagne explains, “The Wildlife Futures Program aims to develop integrated research projects that address the needs of the Pennsylvania Game Commission to manage and conserve wild birds and mammals in the state.”
Understanding the characteristics and habitats of turkeys in areas where populations are increasing can provide insights into how wildlife managers like Casalena can boost populations.
Issues may arise from weather patterns, which are beyond the Game Commission's control. However, if turkeys require better nesting and brooding environments, wildlife managers can provide assistance to prevent disease outbreaks.
Casalena views this study as a crucial initial step. She believes that understanding the situation can lead to management recommendations and landscape changes that may have population-wide effects.
Because the issue is not only in Pennsylvania, the Game Commission has asked other states to join the research, and Maryland, Ohio, and New Jersey have agreed. Casalena states that their aim is to monitor at least 25 turkeys per location each year, and each state has between two and four locations.
From the field to the lab
The Game Commission is leading the crews that are catching turkeys at four locations in the state, which involves attaching GPS trackers—which Casalena says have sensors that can inform researchers whether the birds are eating, walking, flying, or not moving—and collecting blood samples for disease testing, before letting the turkeys go back to nature.
The yearly turkey catching season lasts from late December to mid-to-late March, according to Casalena, and the project is now in its third season, following catching seasons in 2022 and 2023. There will be one more field season next year.
Gagne says researchers at Penn conducted initial disease testing after the last two catching seasons and a lot of his team’s work is at the end, so he will be hiring a postdoctoral fellow for two years and offering summer research opportunities to students.
New report: Tourism generates $76 billion
for Pa.’s economy; supports 485,000 jobs
A new report from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office indicates that the tourism industry in the Commonwealth produced a $76.7 billion economic impact, supported 486,871 jobs, contributed $4.7 billion in state and local taxes, and welcomed 192.4 million visitors in 2022.
The 2022 Economic Impact of Travel and Tourism report provides state, regional, and county level estimates that demonstrate the vital importance of the travel industry to Pennsylvania’s economy.
Gov. Josh Shapiro stated he is dedicated to boosting the industry to create good jobs, strengthen businesses, and attract people to call Pennsylvania home.
Key 2022 results of the report include:
• 192.4 million visitors, an increase of more than 12 million from 2021.
• $76.7 billion in total economic impact.
• $4.7 billion in state and local taxes.
• 486,871 jobs supported, which equates to 1-in-16 jobs in the state.
• A $7.5 billion increase in direct visitor spending to reach $45.4 billion — including hotels, restaurants, retailers and other tourism related businesses.
Visitor spending — which supports jobs, income, and business sales — generated $9.6 billion in government revenues. State and local taxes alone tallied $4.65 billion in 2022, an increase of $458 million from 2021.
Overnight visitor spending increased by $4.8 billion, with more than 66 million trips resulting in $28 billion in spending.
Overnight visitors spent $419 per person, a $31 increase from 2021; while spending on day trips grew to $17.3 billion.
