What does a firefighter warn against?

Officials say there is a high risk of wildfires this time of year and they warn to be on alert.

Nearly a quarter of fires handled by local departments are brush, grass and forest fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Some areas have burn bans or require burning permits. Officials say enforcing these legal frameworks is the first step before burning.

City of Altoona Fire Inspector Justin Smithmyer says when burning materials such as branches or leaves, always be present during the fire and always have something with you to put out the fire if necessary. He says it could be a fire extinguisher, water, dirt or sand.

“At this time of year when the leaves fall, the leaves dry out very quickly, there is a huge danger of ground fires,” Smithmyer said. “It could be either discarded cigarettes or smoke from materials, things like that.”

Smithmyer says keeping the area clean can also help prevent fires.

“It’s not just watching when you burn to get rid of things like leaves and brush, but also keeping your home clean,” Smithmyer says. “Particularly where people may end up throwing cigarettes and other things around the streets, along footpaths and things like that, making sure it’s all picked up and kept clean will help prevent it from growing.”

Smithmyer adds that if the fire appears to be spreading, don’t hesitate to call 911.