Crews Wash Out Valley Forge Brush Fire

The onslaught of soaking rains Sunday night did not come quite soon enough to prevent a brush fire at Valley Forge National Historic Park.

According to the Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company Facebook page, first responders were alerted to to the scene between South Inner Line Drive and Baptist Road Sunday morning to get the large, smoky fire under control.

The National Weather Service warned of wild fire conditions throughout Pennsylvania before the weekend began, prompted by the volatile mixture of sun, dry weather and gusty winds.

According to a spokesperson with Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the state has already experienced 200 wildfires since January, meaning the loss of approximately 500 acres of open land.

The department has provided some guidelines for tending to open fires:

• Clear the area around the fire prior to starting it;
• Keep the fire small and never leave it unattended;
• Before you strike a campfire match, first consider if it is too warm, dry or windy for a fire and if the surrounding area is free of leaves and other combustibles;
• Make sure there is a ready source of water (bucket or hose) nearby and a rake to extinguish any embers that might escape; and
• When you are done with the fire put it out with water until all ashes are cold to the touch.

Nearly 10,000 acres of state and private woodlands are burned by wildfires each year, the DCNR says, and nearly 85 percent of all fires in Pennsylvania woodlands occur during the months of March, April and May.

(Photo: Facebook)