Wharton Township fire claims more than 400 acres
For almost a week, dozens of volunteer firefighters from Farmington and the surrounding communities have fought to extinguish a brush fire that has since claimed more than 400 acres.
Farmington fire Chief Brian VanSickle said the fire was contained after rains Friday. He said it was 90 to 95 percent extinguished Saturday afternoon.
According to a press release from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, more than 100 people from fire companies, the Bureau of Forestry, Pennsylvania Game Commission and Maryland DNR have responded to the dry, remote forests of the Quebec Run Wild Area to aid in fire control efforts.
A release Saturday evening said “significant progress” was made in managing the fire Saturday. The case will be transferred to Forbes Forest District staff Sunday morning, officials said.
VanSickle said the area’s isolation posed a problem as crews were unable to take brush trucks and ATVs into the affected areas.
Instead, firefighters strapped tanks to their backs to carry eight gallons of water to and from the scene — traveling more than a mile each way.
“We’ve never seen anything like this in Wharton Township,” VanSickle said. “We’ve heard that the last time a fire of this magnitude ever happened was back in 1964.”
Though the work was difficult and the days were long, VanSickle said the local community has been supportive.
“This is a catastrophe. And it’s nice that the community came out full force to support us. Local businesses in the township have provided us with lunches and dinners every day,” VanSickle said, adding that Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, The Stone House, Braddock’s Inn and the Bruderhof community were among those who provided hot meals each day. Fox’s Pizza also donated pizzas while the American Red Cross donated food and drinks. “We just can’t thank them enough.”
VanSickle said they’ve also had a flood of “normal, everyday people” stop by to drop off cases of water.
“The community is really looking out for us,” he said.
In addition to fire departments that were dispatched to the scene, VanSickle said a number of volunteer companies from other states and counties donated their tankers and manpower.
VanSickle also commented on the dedication of the members of the volunteer departments, most of whom have full-time jobs elsewhere.
“We had several guys who took vacations, just to work on this fire, for nothing. No pay. They’re here to help save what’s ours,” he said. “And some guys, they would go to work, and come straight here afterwards and work until dark. And they’d come back the next day and do it all again. All the help we got was much appreciated.”
On Friday morning, officials from DCNR indicated that only 30 percent of the fire was estimated to be contained at that point.
At various times during the past week, the brush fire would wane, only to rekindle with gusty winds and high temperatures.
On Wednesday night, there was concern of the flames reaching a nearby cluster of trailers along Skyline Drive.
VanSickle said they stationed a fire engine near the homes for 48 hours while the fire raged only 200-300 yards from them. As the fire moved south to north, however, they determined the homes were out of danger.
That night, they also brought in heavy equipment, including two bulldozers, to start cutting fire breaks.
“We hoped it would only burn to the roads that we cut, and then burn itself out,” VanSickle said. Crews used the bulldozers to move trees and debris to create barriers for the fire, and essentially move the “fuel,” or dried leaves, branches and trees. The old Quebec Road, formerly used as an old logging road, was also considered one of their firebreaks.
“If we don’t get this stopped, or get the rain that we need, this fire could smolder and burn for weeks,” he said.
“They’re confident the firebreaks will get the fire, though,” he added.
DCNR also activated an Incident Management team to aid firefighters and crews. Cecile Stelter, an information officer with DCNR, said their goal is to work cooperatively with local resources.
“When an incident extends for several days, or the size and complexity overwhelms local resources — or in this case, when local resources have responded to several fires since last week — there’s a concern with fatigue. In those cases, the Bureau of Forestry forms our team,” Stelter said.
Stelter added that the fire season is just beginning, and incidents like this spread resources very thin.
“The volunteers fighting this fire are, in many cases, your neighbors, families or friends. The less they need to be out on calls like this, the more they can concentrate on other emergencies,” she said.
According to DCNR, the greatest danger of wildfires comes in March, April and May, and again in October and November, due to dry conditions and strong winds. Without leaves to protect the underground, the forest floor dries quickly and provides a fuel source for fire.
They also indicated that 98 percent of wildfires in PA are caused by people.
VanSickle said that investigators believe the fire started with a campfire. The township also remains under a burning ban until supervisors lift it.
While crews continue to battle the blaze, the forest remains closed to the public, Stetler said.
“We had some freelancing people just wanting to see smoke and fire, but we’ve got guys in there fighting these flames. We can’t have civilians in the woods,” VanSickle said. “We just need the general public to stay away.”