Before you know it, a fire can get out of control.
Mike Stalnecker, chief of North End Fire Company, Pine Grove, said the department responded to a call for a fire Saturday in a hay field in Washington Township.
Pine Grove Hose Hook & Ladder Fire Company No. 1 also responded, he said.
Dumped ashes burned about an acre and a half of the field, he said Monday.
The fire was caused after a home-owner on Wolfe Road put the ashes outside about 7 a.m. and the wind fanned the ashes, causing a fire.
The wind, dry ground conditions and other weather conditions, like humidity, can be ideal ingredients for starting a fire, he said.
"The usual scenario is careless burning or unattended burning," he said.
This week is Wildfire Prevention Week in the state.
"Much of our state woodlands still may have snow cover but one only has to look back to last spring to see how quickly brush and forest fires can spring up when sun and wind prevail," Gov. Tom Corbett said in a press release.
"Most of the more than 630 reported fires last year are linked to people; people cause 98 percent of wildfires. A mere spark by a careless person can touch off a devastating forest blaze during dry periods when conditions enable wildfires to spread quickly," according to the press release.
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said 85 percent of wildfires take place in March, April and May.
Data from 2013 show 44.1 percent of wildfires last year were started due to debris burning, accounting for 524 acres statewide.
Locally, the Weiser Forest District, which is District 18 and covers seven counties including Schuylkill, had 134 wildfires, the most among the 20 districts in the state.
That accounts for 21.3 percent of total fires, according to state data.
As for the fire in Washington Township, Stalnecker said the homeowner looked out the window about noon and noticed what he thought was a large shadow but realized it was a fire after he saw flames.
The area was on a hill and gets a lot of sunlight, so there was very little snow, he said.
"The wind had it fanned pretty good," Stalnecker said, adding the homeowner tried unsuccessfully to put out the fire.
The fire was contained in a matter of minutes, he said.
Dave Sattizahn, president of HH&L Fire Company, agreed.
He said if burning, people should not leave the immediate area.
Frank Zangari, president of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association, said the ground is dry and people should be careful outside.