CHRIS ROBERT VIA UNSPLASH A wind sock is pictured against a photogenic sky. Dry fuels and gusty winds will be ushering in the start of wildfire season for the region. Caution is advised if you must burn.

LOCK HAVEN — Clinton County Department of Emergency Management Coordinator Scott Kemmerer is cautioning those who are doing some outdoor clean up to be cautious of high winds that could lead to wildfires.

“It’s wildfire season already. It may not seem like it with the moisture we’ve had, but with the winds we’ve had as well, the tops of vegetation are dry,” Kemmerer said during the board of commissioners’ work session Monday morning.

Kemmerer noted the county’s department of emergency services has already received calls for wildfires within the area, though they’ve been small so far.

“Please be cautious. Everyone is out cleaning up — it’ll be a real nice week but it’s also going to be drying out more,” he said. “Part of cleaning up with a lot of our citizens is burning.”

Kemmerer encouraged residents to take stock of the environment beforehand and, if they do burn brush or other materials outdoors, to never leave a fire unattended.

He further noted residents can watch the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services Facebook page for postings about the level of wildfire danger each day.

“Please keep this in mind because you, of course, are responsible for anything you burn down (in a wildfire),” he said, noting individuals who may accidentally cause fire damage to DCNR property could face financial liability in particular.

Kemmerer shifted from fire to ice in his safety announcements — particularly regarding mountain roads within the county’s state forest land.

“In the last few weeks the 9-1-1 center has taken double digit phone calls for people who have ventured out to see our beautiful county and have ended up in a ditch, upside down or stuck on our forestry roads because of ice,” Kemmerer said.

Though the weather has warmed in the last few days, he noted it would take more than one 50 degree day to cut through the thick, and smooth, ice on these roads.

“Keep in mind that you’re dealing with your own safety, first responders safety,” he said. “Some of the vehicles can’t even be received until it’s warmer and they can get them out. So that’s going to be a cost on you as well.”

In other business, the board heard from Kemmerer about two grants that will be up for consideration during its voting session on Thursday morning.

Kemmerer said he is looking for approval regarding the 2025-2026 Hazardous Materials Response Grant and the Emergency Management Performance Grant Program.

The Hazardous Materials Response Grant typically is used for replenishing supplies at both the department of emergency services and fire departments for hazardous materials incidents. It also is used for materials for testing gas meters and other calibrations.

“Last year’s funding we received $4,432. (I’m) not sure what we’re going to get this year. It’s been consistently dropping like most grants have,” he said.

For this particular grant, Kemmerer said he’ll be asking for a board signature on a certification letter prior to submitting the grant application before the March 17 deadline.

The EMP Grant Program, he said, is used to supplement salary and benefits for the emergency management coordinator and the EMA & 911 administrative & financial assistant.

“Last year we received $45,891 total to go to that salary and benefits,” he said.

The board heard about two other grant agreements that will be featured on Thursday’s voting session regarding the Clinton County Housing Coalition.

Both are subrecipient agreements and include the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE) and Emergency Rental Assistance Program Funding (ERAP).

According to Community Development and Housing Coordinator Elizabeth Whitty, the PHARE grant — which uses Marcellus Shale gas funds — will be $250,000 and support the coalitions three emergency shelters.

“(They are) providing rent, meals and services to help our residents go into permanent homes,” Whitty told the board.

Part of the grant will also be used to help the creation of the Hope Mitchell House in Lock Haven — a permanent supportive housing project that’s been in development.

“It’ll create six one-bedroom units for chronically homeless households,” Whitty said.

The ERAP grant funds for consideration will also be used for the Hope Mitchell House.

Whitty explained the ERAP program was initially created during the pandemic to help residents with rental assistance. She said the funds the county receives will be left over monies that weren’t used in other counties.

“The state collected it back and decided to re-allocate it,” she said.

Whitty noted the Clinton County Housing Coalition received positive remarks about its handling of the ERAP funding.

“Our (coalition) did such a good job running our ERAP program that we were mentioned in several statewide meetings,” she said. “They reallocated this money back to us… specifically to go help the Hope Mitchell House.”