AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: NWS issues red flag warnings in CNY
Jake Klein: The warnings align with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s burn ban — for the 16th straight year. Brush fires are the leading cause of wildfires statewide. DEC ranger Jeremy Oldroyd:
Jeremy Oldroyd: I don’t believe we have less fires, it’s just that message can get out there more with the media and social media aspects of the technology that we have today.
Klein: 30 wildfires have already occurred in-state since January. That includes one in Syracuse last week. Oldroyd says diligence is key to prevention.
Oldroyd: If you do have a campfire or cooking fire, make sure you extinguish it full and then make sure it’s cool to the touch.
Klein: The burn ban is in effect until May 14. Jake Klein, NCC News.
SHERBURNE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The National Weather Service last week issued red flag warnings in four Upstate New York counties, including the southern portion of Onondaga County. Red flag warnings are NWS’s highest level of wildfire alert.
The warnings, which are only issued at a national level, coincide with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s decision to enforce a burn ban for the 16th straight year. Since January 1, New York has seen more than 30 wildfires — up from 27 all of last spring.
“I don’t believe we have less fires than in the past,” state ranger Jeremy Oldroyd said. “It’s just that the message can get out there more with the media and social media aspects of technology. You hear about it more.”
Oldroyd is part of the team at the DEC, which sets the daily fire danger level based on factors including wind, humidity and precipitation. He says spring is the season most ripe for wildfires because of the combination of higher temperatures, low relative humidity and strong winds.
In New York’s Region 7, Oldroyd’s coverage area which includes Onondaga County, brush burns are the leading cause of wildfires. One occurred last week in the Syracuse city limits, just outside of the Skunk City neighborhood.
“Preventing wildfires is really about being smart,” Oldroyd said. “Campfires and cooking fires are mostly what we see. I’ve seen power lines. It’s usually stuff that can be prevented.”