SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA – Around 2:15 PM on Sunday, April 24, the Pottsville Bureau of Fire was dispatched to investigate smoke and a possible brush fire on Peach Mountain Road. Assistant Chief P-4 went responding and was advised of additional calls reporting a brush fire near Peach Mountain Road and Mountain Drive.
A large column of smoke was seen from miles away as crews from Stations 30 and 40 gathered to respond. Engines 32 and 41 arrived to find a large brush fire a few hundred yards off the roadway.
Brush 42 arrived on the scene and was sent down a pole line in the area to find the fire. Captain 35 also went down the pole line and found a large amount of natural cover on fire off the side of the pole line. St. Clair Brush 705 was added to the call.
Units on scene continued to try to access the fire in an area that had many small off-road vehicle paths in the area. Due to the fire still spreading, P-4 requested additional units to the scene. These additions included brush units from Llewellyn, Mount Carbon and Summit Station.
Multiple units from Forestry were on scene as well as a reconnaissance plane was flying overhead to give ground units information on the movement of the fire.
Lines were stretched off Brush 42, Brush 705 and Utility 03-70 along the pole line and firefighters began to make good progress on the fire. Brush 03-40 and Mount Carbon units were sent to the opposite side of the fire and were able to contain the head of the fire.
Engine 41 staged at a nearby hydrant on Peach Mountain and filled brush units with water after they emptied onto the fire.
About an hour into the fire, crews were beginning to mop up when a large column of thick smoke was noticed to the East. County was notified by command of the smoke column who stated they were also receiving calls for a brush fire in Blythe Township.
Districts 2 (Blythe Twp.) and 54 (New Philadelphia) were dispatched the the Silvercreek Road area of Blythe Township for a brush fire. Chief 02 and Chief 54-01 both went responding and advised County of a large brush fire. Tuscarora fire was requested to the scene.
Units fought a large brush fire North of New Philadelphia for hours. Multiple Forestry crews were called in to help battle this blaze before it was brought under control.
