NEW MILLPORT – Eight fire companies responded to a brush fire Monday in the New Millport area.
Madera Fire Co. Chief Dwayne Delattre said the call came at about 11:50 a.m. and there was some confusion as to the location of the fire, though crews responded and arrived quickly to Bell Hill Road in Knox Township.
Delattre noted that Knox, Ferguson and Jordan township lines are all in that area. Photos of the fire were taken from Bell Hill Road, though it could also be seen from Ryan, Pine, Kings, Wendell and Henderson roads in that area.
First on scene was Curwensville, Delattre said. Because it is sometimes difficult to get enough firefighters to respond, more were called out, including Madera, Irvona, Ramey, Hyde, Glen Richey and Houtzdale.
A UTV from Sandy Ridge was cancelled en route, and the state Forestry Service also responded.
About 17.5 acres burned total, mostly grass. The area is a recovered strip mine. Delattre said they were able to contain and knock down the flames before they reached the pine woods nearby. Firefighters were on scene for about two-and-a-half hours.
“The fire risk right now is very high,” Delattre said. With warming temperatures, high winds and lower humidity in the ground, fires spread quickly.
While this one was winding down, a call went out for a fire in Cooper Township. Last week, a brush fire burned a small amount of acreage plus a barn and shed in Boardman, Knox Township.
“We encourage people to not burn right now,” Delattre added.
He noted there were no injuries and everyone did a great job, especially with how windy it was.
There is no known cause of the fire at this time, and it is under investigation by the Forestry Service
