Good news and bad once again. The good news is that those awful Michaux State Forest fires are contained. Firefighters are holding the line and mopping up. That does NOT mean the danger is over - flames may still be visible for quite some time and wind and storms may yet again spark something dangerous. 

DCNR posted earlier on Thursday:

While some firefighters are still hard at work containing the Michaux State Forest wildfire, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the brave individuals who have responded over the last week. Over 150 volunteer fire departments from at least 10 counties and Maryland have stepped up to help—thank you from the bottom of our hearts! As we admire these heroes, let’s all do our part: 

Please avoid entering burned areas — the landscape is fragile and still dangerous. 

Fire danger remains high — now is not the time for outdoor burning. 

Support your local fire companies — consider making a donation. These volunteers risk so much for us, and every bit helps them stay prepared. 

Support tree planting through the Keystone Tree Fund. Learn more at bit.ly/KeystoneTreeFund

We, too, began a wildfire reforestation and remediation fund when we learned that food and water for the firefighters was well-covered. That campaign remains open at ppff.gives/michaux-wildfire.

Even as I write this on Thursday, we were experiencing storms here in Confluence and the office lost internet service back in Cumberland County.

Which leads to the bad news - many across the state are still without power from storms on Tuesday (including as of yesterday Prince Gallitzin and Black Moshannon State Parks). Take care, everyone, and call ahead before you plan a visit to much of the state parks and forests for a few days. 

The masthead photo this week is the kind of picture that makes me glad I was too frantic all week to get Fridays done early. Photographer Ed Harding posted this to Pennsylvania Photography with Uncovering PA just this morning. Irresistible!

These are my favorite photos from the trail training workshop I attended at Canoe Creek State Park on Monday and Tuesday. Monday afternoon we were examining the Hartman and Mattern trails behind the park's iconic lime kilns with an eye toward remediation of the erosion happening on this steep hillside.

One of the participants from the Friends of Black Moshannon said, "Well, I don't think I've ever seen that before." Nor had the rest of us!

• Picture #1, a rather unassuming view of the lime kiln wall.
• Picture #2, something odd in one of the wall's holes.
• Picture #3, the resident of the hole. He was quite interested in watching us all troop by and unconcerned when all of us - and a few regular park visitors - gathered around to take his picture. 

Peter Jensen's trail training generally features three parts: a little classroom discussion on the ins and outs and trails, then a review of the tools needed for trail care, and then it's time to go out and put your skills to work, learning as you go. It is a really good experience, and he is a really good teacher. A shout-out to the volunteers and staff who signed up for the experience - your new skills will spread like wildFLOWERS.

Back to our regular "look ahead two weeks for planning purposes" feature. Be sure to bookmark our PPFF events calendar and the DCNR calendar of events so you don't miss anything.

As is traditional, blue boxes are photos and news; bright green are events.

Wildflower Week: First Full Week of May

Photo: Kooser State Park. Wandering Out Yonder.