FOREST FIRE SEASON ENDS - Calhoun Residents Used Caution

(12/29/2010)
The fall forest fire season ends Friday.

This year's fall forest fire season has been on par with the last few, despite extremely dry conditions.

The West Virginia Division of Forestry recorded 353 fires, charring 10,520 acres of land.

Calhoun had only a handfull of fairly small fires, with county residents being cautious.

Assistant State Forester Ben Webster called the state numbers "average" for a fall season.

"Actually, for the past couple of years, we've seen a constant decline," said Webster.

"Due to the severity of the drought in the Eastern Panhandle, we still have not recovered from that. It could lead to the possibility of increased activity come this spring fire season," he said.

The top three fall forest fire causes are arson, out of control debris burns and blazes started by equipment.

Spring Forest Fire Season begins March 1.