Brush fire burns North’d mountainside; DCNR deploys aircraft

HELFENSTEIN, Northumberland County – In scenes reminiscent of the western states — albeit on a smaller scale — airplanes were scene dropping fire retardants on a mountainside brush fire in this East Cameron Township village Monday.

Firefighters were called to 6743 Upper Road just before 3:00pm for a reported brush fire.

Crews from a multitude of Northumberland and Schuylkill County fire companies responded to the scene as the blaze spread up the mountain, out of reach of crews.

Forestry firefighters from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) responded as well and took the lead in firefighting efforts.

East Cameron Township, Shamokin, Lavelle, and Trevorton firefighters staged on the Upper Road side of the fire to protect nearby homes, while crews from Forest Hills, Elysburg, Pitman, Stonington, and Lower Augusta Townships attempted to access the fire from another side.

Among the resources DCNR deployed were a pair of airplanes, a Cessna 172 reconnaissance plane, observing conditions from above, and an Air Tractor Fire Boss, which made several passes, dumping bright red fire retardants.

The aerial assistance helped bring the fire under control by 6:00pm, with crews continuing to work on extinguishing the eastern flank past nightfall.

Reports at the scene indicated 15 acres of land burned in Monday’s blaze.

A rehab unit from Kratzerville, Snyder County provided refreshments for first responders at the scene.

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Additional Photos From Don Scicchitano

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