Crews Battle Wildfires in Pennsylvania Forests

Two wildfires in McKean and Clinton counties are burning as Pennsylvania experiences abnormally dry conditions.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Current Conditions

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a forested ridgeline under a column of grey smoke against a cream sky, with a muted orange glow at its base. — Two wildfires are burning in McKean and Clinton counties as crews battle blazes covering roughly 35 and 200 acres amid abnormally dry conditions across Pennsylvania. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Crews are battling a wildfire covering about 35 acres in the Allegheny National Forest and a fire of nearly 200 acres in Noyes Township and Sproul State Forest in Clinton County. Pennsylvania is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Why it matters

Dry conditions across the state raise the risk of wildfires spreading in forested areas. Residents are being asked to avoid both fire sites and refrain from burning outdoors.

Agency reports put the Allegheny National Forest wildfire at about 35 acres and the Clinton County fire at nearly 200 acres, with the Clinton County fire not expected to spread beyond its current containment. The cause of both fires remains under investigation.

The players

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

The state agency overseeing Pennsylvania's state forests and parks, which is assisting in battling the Clinton County wildfire through its Bureau of Forestry.

U.S. Forest Service

The federal agency that manages the Allegheny National Forest, which posted an online statement about the wildfire.

The details

Several fire companies and officials with Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are battling the Clinton County fire, while Bureau of Forestry personnel patrol containment lines and address hotspots. Smoke and occasional flames may remain visible for several days as fuel within the Clinton County fire area continues to burn.

The Allegheny National Forest wildfire was reported at approximately 3:15 p.m. on November 4, 2026, in the Bradford Ranger District.
The U.S. Forest Service posted an online statement about the wildfire on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Bureau of Forestry personnel will remain staffed during daylight hours over the next several days to monitor the Clinton County fire.

Seasonal Patterns

The wildfires in McKean and Clinton counties are occurring while the U.S. Drought Monitor classifies Pennsylvania as abnormally dry, a condition that elevates fire risk in the state's forested areas during this season.

Avoid both wildfire sites in McKean and Clinton counties and do not burn anything outside while dry conditions persist. Follow instructions from fire crews and state forestry officials if you are in or near the affected areas.

The takeaway

Dry conditions make outdoor burning especially hazardous in Pennsylvania's forests right now. Keeping fires contained and avoiding the affected areas helps crews protect both people and woodlands.