Space heaters, wood stoves, and rural volunteer coverage create a dangerous equation across NEPA

Forty-six percent of home heating fires happen between December and February. In the Poconos—where wood stoves are common, propane prices bite hard, and volunteer crews cover hundreds of square miles—winter hits different.

Monroe County stretches across 611 square miles. Nineteen volunteer fire departments serve 170,000 residents from the Delaware Water Gap to Tobyhanna. Pike County’s 29 departments cover 545 square miles—one for every 18 square miles of forest and lake communities. Lackawanna has 73 departments across 459 square miles serving 216,000 people. Luzerne County spans 906 square miles with 325,000 residents.

That’s a lot of ground when a fire breaks out at 2 a.m. on a back road with no hydrants.

This Season’s Toll

On Thanksgiving night, 58-year-old Stephanie Selecky-Banfield died when fire consumed her Locust Ridge Road home in Coolbaugh Township. Crews from Thornhurst and Coolbaugh Township volunteer companies responded. High winds fed the flames. The roof collapsed, then the floors—the entire structure caved. State police are investigating.

Weeks later, the 19th-century Glenwood Inn in Delaware Water Gap was ruled a total loss after a December 14 blaze. Five to eight companies fought the fire. Owner Chang Gong told reporters his heart was broken.

In October, a 68-year-old man died after a fire on Poco Lane in Smithfield Township. Two others suffered burns.

Why the Poconos Burns Hotter

Space heaters cause 40% of heating fire deaths. In rural areas where natural gas lines don’t reach, they’re not optional.

Converted cabins are everywhere. Homes built for weekend use in the 1950s-80s now run heating systems daily October through April. Chimneys weren’t designed for that load. Creosote builds up. Clay liners crack in freeze-thaw cycles. Fires start inside walls.

Vacation homes sit empty for weeks with space heaters running to prevent frozen pipes. A smoldering fire can fully engulf a structure before anyone notices.

Response times stretch longer than in cities. Many areas lack hydrants. Tanker trucks shuttle water from miles away.

The Numbers

• 46% of heating fires occur December-February
• 55% of home fire deaths happen November-March
• 80% of heating fire deaths involve space heaters or wood stoves
• 60% of fatal fires—no working smoke alarm
• Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving—peak fire days

Protect Your Home

Space heaters: Three feet from anything flammable. Plug into wall outlets only—never extension cords. Off when you leave or sleep.

Wood stoves: Annual chimney cleaning. Metal screen. Burn dry hardwood only. Cool ashes 24-48 hours, store in metal container 10 feet from the house.

Alarms: Smoke detectors on every level, every bedroom. Test monthly. Carbon monoxide detectors required by PA law with any fuel-burning appliance.

Escape plan: You have two minutes once a fire starts. Know two exits from every room.

Every fire department in Monroe, Pike, Lackawanna, and Luzerne counties runs on volunteers. Make their job easier—make your home harder to burn.

Fire safety info: pa.gov/osfc

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