Michaux State Forest is the place I spend the most time outdoors. Located about 30 miles from where I live, it’s where I hike and camp. It’s where I bring visitors to show off the South Mountain region. It’s where I breath in fresh air and explore the beauty of the Commonwealth. It’s my safe place away from the goings-on of Harrisburg. 

But that safety was shattered in April 2025. I received text messages from friends telling me that Michaux was on fire. Then, news came that there were two fires. And they were spreading. With wind and no rain in the forecast it became evident that the situation could get bad quickly.

Over the following two weeks, I’d see photos and videos of the fires spreading across the forest I loved. Friends were evacuated from their homes. Roads were closed. Massive clouds of smoke billowed across the area. People were scared. The beautiful landscape I loved was on fire and there was nothing I could do but watch. 

But thanks to incredibly brave firefighters and with a little help from the weather, the Thompson Hollow and Hammond Rocks fires were extinguished in 14 days. Over 150 fire companies from 10 Pennsylvania and Maryland counties battled the blaze. Approximately 2,700 acres were destroyed by the wildfires. 

Luckily, no homes or private property was damaged and only two people suffered minor injuries. 

And, predictably, a determination was made that the fires were human caused, like 99 percent of all wildfires.

Here’s the thing. While the situation was scary for many in the area – even for us 40 minutes from the fires – this is a common occurrence in Pennsylvania. There’s between 1,000 and 2,000 wildfires every year in Commonwealth. And the majority of those wildfires occur in the spring. 

These fires so close to home was a sobering reminder of the ever-present danger of wildfires. With Michaux still charred from the fires, I wanted to know more about wildfires and the wildland firefighters that have to put them out. 

On this episode, I speak with Mike Kern. Mike is the Chief Forest Fire Warden for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 

Be sure to support our 2025 sponsors:
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Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
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Hosting, production and editing: Christian Alexandersen
Music: Jon Sauer
Graphics: Matt Davis