MONTGOMERY – According to the state Department of Forestry, the months of March, April and May are well known for fires because of dry conditions, direct sunshine, and individuals out and about burning trash or smoking.

Several brush fires were reported throughout the region and were quickly extinguished thanks to volunteer firefighters.

Brush fires were reported last Saturday just before 9 p.m. in a field near 99 Carey Lane in Clinton Township.

On Friday, fires were extinguished on Cardinal Drive in Hughesville near the borough line with Wolf Township and on Bear Lane in Limestone Township.

Most of the causes are an available fuel source, such as a field or grassy or wooded area and dry conditions, along with a way for the fire to start, according to Bureau of Forestry officials.

As the spring sun climbs higher in the sky, days become longer and warmer, and the trees are bare allowing the sunlight to reach the forest floor warming the ground and drying last fall’s leaves.

These conditions, coupled with the fact that the winds in the spring are often very strong and dry, lead to a tremendous amounts of fuel ready to burn.

Officials urge locals to be careful when doing controlled burns, using burner barrels and never leave a campfire without fully extinguishing it and properly dispose of smoking items like cigarettes or cigars.