MONROE TWP., Pa. (EYT) — The prompt skillful response of local firefighters paid off as they battled a brush fire early Wednesday afternoon in southern Clarion County.
(Photos by Dave Cyphert of ProPoint Media Photography)
According to Clarion County 9-1-1, the initial call came at 12:32 pm, reporting a fire along Curllsville Road in Monroe Township. At 12:50 pm, another call summoned additional departments to assist with the large blaze. Local companies at the scene included Clarion Fire and Hose Company No. 1, Limestone Township Volunteer Fire Company, Hawthorne Area Volunteer Fire Department, New Bethlehem Fire Company, Callensburg-Licking Township Volunteer Fire Company, Sligo Fire Rescue, Rimersburg Hose Company, and Pennsylvania State Forestry.
According to the officer in charge at the incident, Ethan Tustin, the fire burned at least 12 acres of field as gusty winds fanned flames approximately 12 to 13 feet high. Crews were ultimately able to contain the fire, and no structures were damaged. Tustin described a close call, as the flames came within inches of a century-old barn. When the wind suddenly shifted, they were able to keep the blaze away from the structure.
For those who witnessed the efforts of the companies that responded to the fast-moving blaze, there was no question that the volunteers’ team strategy allowed them to quickly extinguish the fire, in spite of the wind and difficult terrain. The trucks could not cross a wet portion of the field to keep the fire from reaching the wooded area. ATVs were needed to gain access, in addition to the equipment already dispatched. The Department of Forestry often provides resources that the fire companies do not have; in this case, side by side ATVs. Another volunteer at the scene was Brett from Full Throttle X-tremes. He said he heard the call on his scanner, and because he was familiar with the property, he loaded a side-by-side onto his truck and came to see how he could help.
The actions of everyone involved were a testament to the teamwork between our local fire companies, the Department of Forestry, and the community. Concerning the effort that resulted in no injuries and no loss of property, another person commented, “I am very impressed and very proud.”
The scene was cleared at 2:30 pm.
The cause of the fire is unknown. Low relative humidity, warmer temperatures, and windy conditions prompted red flag warnings in other counties on Wednesday. As noted by the National Weather Service, it is not uncommon for fires to occur, without a known cause, in places where there is dry grass, under these conditions.