Mandy Burgoon tread along the powdery remains of what was left after Monday’s brush fire in Logan Township. She described the ground as “moonscaped,” with steam that bellowed from the water poured onto it. In one patch, the embers still glowed.

Burgoon is a fire/service forester in Blair County for Gallitzin State Forest. She is a member of a team that is responsible for fire suppression and investigation in Blair, Cambria and Indiana counties.

Burgoon made it clear that local firefighters from Logan Township, Newburg, Allegheny, Lakemont and Duncansville companies did an excellent job in beating back the flames and controlling the spread. The problem, she said, is simply this: Pennsylvania summer fires burn deep into the undergrowth, the duff and the roots.

Burgoon’s supervisor, Bob Wetzel – district forester for Gallitzin State Forest – surmised that there have been at least 40 fire reports this year, compared to the average of about 20 in each of past three years he’s been district forester in the area. He said some of that increase is due to better recording from fire companies and wardens, yet he said it seems a little more than normal.

The fire season started earlier this year than previous ones.

“We usually don’t start fighting fires until mid-March or April,” he said. “But because of the lack of snowpack, it didn’t take long for things to dry out.”

Jessica Lavelua, park manager at Prince Gallitzin State Park, said spring is the highest risk season in the state because of the “leaf litter” on the ground. However, she said because of the dryness and heat, this summer may be a higher risk season than previous for forest fires.

“There have been one or two fires near the park,” she said, adding that dry, windy conditions and someone flicking a cigarette out the window, is enough to ignite a forest.

The cause of Monday’s fire is under investigation, according to Wetzel. Still, he had a message for the community: “Think before you light.”

“It doesn’t take much to get a fire started,” he said. “Even if we get rain today — if it’s sunny tomorrow, dead grass will burn.”

Wetzel shared a favorite saying from a fire warden: “All it takes is one hour of sun, one hour of wind and one idiot.”

Mirror Staff Writer Dom Cuzzolina is at 946-7428.