Puffy, white cottonwood seeds creating big fire risk in Capital Region

The white fluff you see flying through the Capital Region are poplar seeds, or cottonwood. It’s the root of what can be a dangerous problem.

Mix it with the hot, dry weather we’ve been having, and it can easily be the cause of fires, the Schenectady Fire Department.

The other part of the problem is the really hot, dry weather we’ve been having.

Schenectady Fire Department has had 12 outdoor fires, Fire Chief Don Mareno said. Two have caused damage to surrounding buildings.

Learn about what makes the cottonwood so flammable – and see a demonstration – by watching the video of Tessa Bentulan’s story.