DWG National Park : Wildfire Safety Top Priority


Inside the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, in Bushkill, is the park's fire department headquarters.

In the event of a fire inside the park, or a wildfire, it's where federal firefighters and trained park rangers will meet.


"Lots of changing conditions, of course you've got fire, and if conditions are right, you'll have rapid fire spread," said Cliff Lively, the park fire management officer.


"The weather can change instantly. The winds can shift 180 degrees from the direction they were blowing," said Lively.


This is called a "controlled burn" and it helps clear away the dead brush inside the park.  Dead brush that can add fuel to a wildfire.



"It's usually an area that's not going to burn. It could be an open area," said Lively.

In the event a wildfire is moving too quickly and firefighters can't get to their safety zone, they'll have to use their fire shelter.

It's a tarp made from aluminum and fiber glass.


"It's meant to reflect radiant heat and protect you and give you an air space that has breathable air in it," said Lively.

The fire shelters are folded up and attached to a firefighter's gear.

Lively says these shelters aren't fool-proof, but have saved the lives of hundreds of firefighters in the past.