elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=3562256&DocName=FD11 Pinchot
Public Use Map.pdf
I think the general idea here is that the local fire departments are
the first responders to all incidents in the state forests and state
parks - plus all of the urban and suburban and rural areas. There are
nearly 500 fire departments in this map area.
State Forestry operates approx 10 type 6 engines crewed by 15 seasonal
fire patrolmen. They also operate some lookout towers - and they fly 1
helo and 3 SEATs from Hazleton Airport. They also have 1 TY3 dozer and
1 TY5 engine. Most wildfires happen in the spring - and some in the
fall.
The 2020 forest management plan claims that they have 3 state forest
fire stations. Hazleton + Hughesville + Dickson City. I can only find
the Hazleton forest fire station.
The yellow areas on the map are the game atreas - but I dont think
that the state has any special responsibility for controlling
wildfires on those lands.
It is possible that PA State Forestry has responsibility for
suppressing all wildfires in the State but they will be the first to
tell you that the local fire departments do the vast majority of
wildfire control.
If I had to guess - I would guess that PA State Forestry operates like
Mass State Forestry. They concentrate on wildfire control in the most
remote areas by providing 2 or 3 small fire engines in each county.
They also concentrate on State Forests and State Parks. Elsewhere -
State Forestry is mostly used to provide aerial assets. However - in
Pennsylvania the State Forestry has handcrews - but I think they are
primarily staffed by oncall VFD members.
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