Sassaman Earns 55 Year Forest Fire Warden Award
Spurred by rampant wildfires following unregulated logging in the late 1800s and early 1900s, visionary leaders like Gifford Pinchot and Joseph Rothrock lobbied for laws to protect our streams and forests. These efforts led to the creation of a system of volunteer Forest Fire Wardens in Pennsylvania in 1915.
On Tuesday August 8, the Bureau of Forestry, Elk State Forest presented Richard Sassaman with his 55 Year Forest Fire Warden Award. The primary purpose of a Forest Fire Warden is to assist the Bureau of Forestry in the suppression and investigation of wildfires. Wardens may also be appointed to assist the Bureau in fire prevention, detection, and pre-suppression activities.