| 12:16 hrs: Members from BUFD, Co 6 (Monarch), 23 (Gibraltar), 24 (Geigertown), and Chester County 69 (Twin Valley) were requested to the area of Route 345 and Hopewell Road for a reported brush fire. FM-28 (B. Erb) arrived to find a large brush fire deep in the forest. Assistant 7-1 (M. Hernandez) arrived and began to deploy brush apparatus into the Mill Creek Trail to begin attacking the fire. First reports from crew reported more than 10 acres of land involved. Chief 7 (C. Bickings) arrived and established a command post and initial staging area at Shed Road and Route 345. Members of Pennsylvania DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) arrived and assumed command of the fire due to it being on State land. Additionally resources were then called in from the area.
Companies from Berks, Chester, Lancaster, and Montgomery County worked through the night to contain the fire. Area residents that bordered the park were requested to evacuate due to high winds pushing the fire toward the residential area. Fire apparatus was placed at each residence that was believed to be in jeopardy of the fire.
The fire was contained throughout the night with no damage to any residence. Members of DNCR Forestry continue to extinguish the entire fire. In the end, approximately 450 acres were involved.
Reading Eagle Story http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=378727
Pottstown Mercury: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120410/NEWS01/120409427/updated-french-creek-fire-contained-but-still-burning-(map-videos-slideshow)
WFMZ Story: http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-berks/Forest-fire-nears-fireworks-factory-evacuations-ordered/-/121418/10368462/-/kah4o4z/-/index.html |
