April is a peak month for blossoms, blooms -- and brush fires. Based on data from the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry, no other month can hold a candle to it for scorched acreage.
Last year, for example, over 3,500 acres burned in April in Pennsylvania, or about 75 percent of the yearly total.
In the Garden State, this year is off to a roaring start compared with 2015, with almost 1,200 acres torched, about triple last year's total to date.
Don't be surprised if that total increases by day's end.
The National Weather Service has lifted a "red flag" warning until 8 p.m. for a high brush-fire potential for the entire region, with decent breezes and low moisture content in the atmosphere.
Winds of 15 to 20 mph are forecast, along with relative humidities dropping toward the Arizonan 20s.
April is a particularly fertile month for fires. Sun-blocking leaves haven't yet ripened, and that allows the sun to warm and dry out the ground and the autumn detritus.
A dry spell and brisk winds are the combustible additives.
