Better not to burn brush at all. Those with large tracts of land may consider piling up brush for wildlife habitat.

Others may look into recycling brush into compost – Clarion County Park , accepts brush and leaves for this purpose.

Garbage and trash should not be burned at all, but hauled away by a waste disposal firm. Burning some materials, especially PVC and other kinds of plastic, can release highly toxic smoke.

Paper, cardboard and most plastic containers can be recycled by taking the materials to centers.

The damage done

Taking a chance with fire can damage the pocketbook as well as the environment. If an outdoor fire gets out of control and turns into a wildfire, the person responsible can be held liable for damages and the cost of extinguishing the fire. The bill can total many thousands of dollars.

Not counting the damage done by wild fires, the total cost of putting them out exceeds $2.5 million in the five years of 2002 through 2006, according to the state Bureau of Forestry.

Most wild fires are caused by careless debris burning – letting burn barrels, trash fires and the burning of brush get out of hand.

From the beginning of 2002 to the end of 2006 in Pennsylvania , nearly 1,000 wild fires were started by debris burning, and they burned nearly 3,000 acres.

Only deliberately-set fires caused more damage, with fewer fires (839) burning more land – more than 10,000 acres in five years.

Altogether, Pennsylvania saw just under 3,000 fires on just under 20,000 acres in 2002 through 2006 – that’s about 31 square miles burned.

If you must burn…

Fire officials say following common-sense guidelines could reduce wildfire by 70 percent. Here’s how to keep a clean-up project from turning into a disaster:

lBrush, leaves and other debris should be covered with plastic until conditions are right for burning. Wait for a significant rainfall that thoroughly soaks surrounding vegetation.

lNever leave a fire unattended.

lHave water and hand tools such as shovels and rakes nearby.

lWhen using a burn barrel, cover it with a wire mesh screen to prevent sparks from escaping, and make sure there are holes in the bottom to provide air to the fire so it burns quickly and does not smolder for long periods.

lMake sure all fuels – grass and brush – are cleared for a space of at least ten feet around the fire so that stray sparks land on bare earth.

lIf a fire gets out of hand, do not delay calling 911 for help by trying to fight the fire alone. Once you are sure fire fighters are on the way, and you feel confident you can do some good, then try to control or slow the spread of the fire. Be sure to give 911 dispatchers a road address.

lDo not try to fight a wild fire unless you are in good physical condition; those with heart or lung problems are at serious risk from exertion and smoke when trying to fight a wildfire.

lMake sure a fire is dead out before leaving the scene. Rake the ashes and feel for heat to make sure there are no hidden hot coals. Fires can lie dormant for several days then blaze up again. Ashes keep hidden coals hot, and a breeze can blow away the ash and get the fire going again.

lContact your local fire department or the forestry office before starting a “controlled burn” to make sure weather conditions are right and the fire company knows what you are planning.

Wild fires come home

Brush and forest fires are destructive enough, but the danger to life and property can increase when wildfires threaten houses barns, garages and other structures.

Country homes in wooded areas are beautiful and relaxing, but are in the greatest danger from wildfires.

Poor planning and maintenance can allow a brush fire to easily spread to a home, but a few simple techniques can keep this danger at a minimum.

lRoofs – sparks from a wild fire or a chimney can land on a roof and set it ablaze.

Homeowners can replace wood shingles with fire resistant materials (metal roofs are best); remove dried leaves, pine needles and branches to eliminate fuel buildup on roofs and in gutters; use a spark-arresting screen on chimneys.

lYards – a buffer between structures and flammable vegetation can keep wild fires from becoming tragic.

lTrees, brush and high vegetation should be kept trimmed back within 30 feet of a house. Pine tress should kept at least 75 feet away, and.

lAllow grass to get no higher than four inches within 30 feet of the house.

lStack firewood at least 50 feet from the house and keep fuel tanks at least 10 feet from the house.

lUse screens on burn barrels, incinerators and chimneys.

lMaintain a 12-foot driveway by trimming back intruding vegetation

lMake sure fire fighters can find your property and access the area by making sure house numbers are visible and lanes are signed, and by making lanes passable to fire fighting equipment.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry office in Clarion can be reached at 226-1901.

For more information see the Forestry web site at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/.