On Wednesday April 12 at 1410 hrs, Eastern Berks and Seisholtville Fire, along with Bally Medics were dispatched to Cherry Dr in the Huffs Church section of District Twp for a Brush Fire. EBFD Chief Mike Mutter went responding and was advised that a Firefighter was reporting 3-5 acres already involved, at which point Mutter ordered a 2nd alarm to be transmitted. The chief arrived on scene and confirmed a working fire.Listed below are the numerous departments from Berks, Montgomery and Lehigh Counties which went into service attacking this rapidly spreading fire.
An Air Drop from a Helicopter was requested by DCNR (PA’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources), The helicopter flew from Hazelton and picking up water from a nearby pond, made 8 drops which helped stop the head of the fire. and cut off its advance over the rocky wooded terrain.Crews continued to work on hot spots and assist the DCNR as needed long past sunset.
Helping to scope out the extent of the fires was both infrared and visual provided by drones operated by department member Andy Fronheiser.EBFD units cleared the scene after approx. 8 hrs to go home and rst up, because they had already been told that DCNR were request them to return after daylight to continue to mop of and extinguish fires that continued to burn overnight, under the watch of a DCNR crew which remained on scene.
DCNR estimates 22.4 acres were eventually involved.
EBFD units on scene Brush 97, Brush 97-1, Tanker 97, Tanker 97-1, ATV 97 and Utility 97.Here is a list of the departments which sent personnel and apparatus to assist us. Huge thanks to all these Fire Departments, EMS agencies and DCNR for the assistance. We hope we remembered all of them, if not, our apologies! On scene: Eastern Berks, Seisholtsville, Earl, Hereford, Topton, Exeter, Monarch, Ruscombmanor, Alburtis, Kutztown, Fleetwood, Macungie, Oley, Lyons, Upper Milford, Ringing Hill, Green Lane, Red Hill, as well as EMS from Bally, Boyertown, and Macungie; and Canteen 9.
Special thanks to Red Hill Volunteer Fire Company for standing by in our Bally station with Squad 71 and Tanker 71. While covering our first alarm area, they also responded for a motorcycle accident in District.
