With much of Pennsylvania abnormally dry, and wildfires impacting many areas, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is temporarily prohibiting the building of fires on state game lands.

While camping on state game lands is prohibited, regulations allow game lands users to build small fires for cooking or warming purposes. However, the regulation authorizes the Game Commission’s executive director to restrict otherwise-permitted activity when the threat of forest fire exists.

The prohibition on building fires on game lands will be left in place indefinitely until conditions improve.

“Taking this one, small step now to address wildfire risk could prevent a larger problem as we get deeper into the heart of hunting season,” Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith said. “Doing what we can to protect wildlife habitat in what might be a hunter’s favorite spot benefits both, and might make all the difference.”

The Game Commission is among a number of state agencies to enact measures addressing dry conditions. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) today issued a similar ban on campfires in state parks and state forests, as well as suspension of any prescribed burns on DCNR lands. The Game Commission conducts prescribed burns to improve wildlife habitat on select state game lands, mainly in the spring and early fall, and is temporarily suspending prescribed burns on game lands, as well.

“While the Game Commission recognizes the value of prescribed fires under the right conditions, that time is clearly not now,” said Scott Bearer, Game Commission Chief Land Manager.

The Pennsylvania Drought Task Force has declared drought conditions in 35 of the state’s 67 counties. The state has experienced 100 reported wildfires in the past week, with many more unreported. Several volunteer firefighters were injured in blazes this weekend and these ongoing wildfires have strained state and local resources. Nearly 50 Game Commission personnel trained in fire management have been actively involved in suppression activities and structure protection, in partnership with DCNR and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.