Firefighters work to contain large brush fire in West Mahanoy
Multiple air drops used; firefighters worked to protect homes along Morea Road
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Forestry firefighters work to contain a blaze in West Mahanoy Township on May 14, 2023.
ALTAMONT – Firefighters are continuing to battle a brush fire between here and Laurel Ridge at this hour.
Crews from across the county have been battling the blaze in West Mahanoy Township since the midday.
The fire reportedly broke out in an area north of the Whipporwill Dam at a campsite and rapidly spread from there.
At one point, fire apparatus was staged at homes along Morea Road for protection.
An air tanker from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has made multiple drops of flame retardant on the blaze.
Among those responding have been firefighters from all three West Mahanoy Township fire companies, along with Frackville, Englewood, Ashland, Saint Clair, Ringtown, Primrose, Minersville, Tamaqua, Pottsville, Llewellyn, Delano, and more.
Many of those units have been released from the firefight.
Firefighters have been battling the blaze from the top of the Laurel Ridge development, the Whippoorwill Dam, and the area of a Pennsylvania American Water water tank.
At one point, thick smoke could be seen from the Shenandoah area.
Full Photo Gallery
About Author
