He’s one elder you should not only listen to, but heed his burning advice.
Smokey Bear turned 75 in August and though his slogan was tweaked years ago, the message is the same.
In 2001, the slogan was updated to: “Only you can prevent wildfires,” instead of “forest fires.”
Today, this remains some excellent advice. Though temperatures are not hovering in the 90s today for a change, there’s still little rain in the five-day forecast.
In other words, lingering dry conditions are still ripe for wildfires across West Virginia.
For this reason, Gov. Jim Justice’s statewide burning ban Sept. 20 remains in effect until conditions improve and he rescinds this order by proclamation.
The ban covers outdoor burning of debris, and campfires and warming fires except those within fireplaces or fire rings at designated federal and state recreation areas.
Other exceptions include liquid-fueled gas grills, lanterns or liquid-fueled gas fire stoves and more.
Elevated drought conditions, dry vegetation, reduced water supplies and forecasted weather patterns made this burning ban imperative.
In September alone, more than 90 wildfires — consuming 560 acres — were reported in our state, which was before fall’s fire season began Tuesday.
This number of wildfires and the amount of destruction in September is extremely unusual, according to the state Division of Forestry director.
Smokey was right it being up to us to prevent these fires. Nationwide, nearly nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans, with debris burns a major cause.
Of course, many such wildfires are also started by careless behavior that includes not properly putting out campfires or tossing cigarettes out a car window.
Because wildfires are known to move fast they quickly destroy homes, wildlife habitat and forests, leaving long-lasting effects on the landscape.
Though fires are known to move at speeds of up to 14-15 miles per hour, some like the catastrophic blaze that destroyed Paradise, Calif., was at one point advancing the flames at a rate of one football field per second.
That fire in northern California was caused by the failure of utility power lines. But it only takes a small spark to start a large wildfire.
This ban helps ensure we are doing what we can to protect our forests, the public and private property from the damage that could occur from a wildfire.
Smokey probably couldn’t be more excited that since 1944 his timeless message is still reaching the young and old.
And he continues to be right because most wildfires are caused by people and they can also be prevented by people.
