DCNR: More Than 1,000 Wildfires Reported During 2022 Wildland Fire Program

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s 2022 wildfire season was slightly above average. During the calendar year, 1,034 wildfires were reported, marking the third year in a row with more than 1,000 reported wildfires — a streak that has not occurred since the 1980s.

The Big Fill wildfire was the largest wildfire of the year — burning almost 700 acres through the night in early November in Centre County. In Pennsylvania, 99 percent of wildfires are caused by humans.

In addition, DCNR employees and volunteers conducted 450 wildfire prevention activities and events over the course of the year. Volunteers donated 2,550 hours during these events.

Each year, DCNR has assisted with suppression crews to help combat wildland fires in the western part of the country.

In 2022, DCNR’s wildland fire crew sent 185 personnel to assist with wildfires out of state, including the first assignment in Illinois.