Geneva, NY — February 23rd — Prior to New York State's yearly spring burn prohibition, volunteers from the White Springs Fire Association, located at 3770 County Road 6, finished a refresher course in fighting wildland fires. Forest Rangers Pat Dormer and Mike Miller from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation conducted the training. The behavior of wildfires, methods for suppressing brush fires, and safety procedures applied in rural fire situations were all examined by rangers.

Members also talked about how DEC Forest Rangers and local fire agencies work together during prolonged brush fire operations. Wildfires are more likely to occur in the spring because of dry grass, leaf litter, and shifting weather patterns. To lower the risk of uncontrolled fires, New York State imposes an annual burn prohibition from March 16 to May 14.