A fire spreads in Pike and Monroe counties; Pike fires intentionally set

Anya Tikka
Posted 9/30/09

DINGMAN TOWNSHIP, PA — One of two large fires was still raging as of Tuesday along the Monroe County/Pike County border near Cresco at Sixteen-Mile Road, but the other, at Bear Town forest, had …

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A fire spreads in Pike and Monroe counties; Pike fires intentionally set

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DINGMAN TOWNSHIP, PA — One of two large fires was still raging as of Tuesday along the Monroe County/Pike County border near Cresco at Sixteen-Mile Road, but the other, at Bear Town forest, had been extinguished by Sunday, April 24, according to an email sent on that date by Jim Hyland, forest program specialist from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry.

Rain on Tuesday had succeeded in dampening but not extinguishing the Cresco fire as of press time.

The Bureau of Forestry has now determined the fires were set intentionally, and a reward of $5,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible for setting these fires. Anyone with confidential information can call 717/362-1472 or 570/895-4000.

The fires started late Wednesday, April 20, and as of Tuesday morning they had covered 5,600 acres and destroyed four permanent structures despite “an enormous firefighting effort that included numerous air drops,” Hyland explained.

He reported that the Bear Town brush fire has been contained, but “the crews continue to monitor the perimeter and control hot spots that are close to containment lines.”

According to Dingman Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mark O’Brian, four originally separate fires started around the same time in the Sixteen-Mile Road area, east of Cresco, in both Monroe and Pike Counties.

“The four segments combined, making two separate, large fires,” he said.

“A lot of the area there is covered in dead wood; it’s dry and the fire spread quickly due to the wind and other weather conditions,” O’Brian continued.

Thick smoke appeared on the skyline in Sullivan County, NY on Thursday, April 21, forcing residents to close windows due to coughing. Eldred School District canceled all after school activities due to bad air, and Sullivan County Health Department issued a warning, cautioning anyone with potential health issues to avoid going outside and not to engage in any strenuous activity outdoors.

DCNR spokesman Robert Martynowych wrote in an email on Friday that the efforts to stop the fire continued, but said, “Low humidity, highly flammable fuel types and shifting winds have hampered fire control efforts. Over the past days aircraft have made hundreds of air drops totaling thousands of gallons. Many dead trees, (called snags) spread embers over control lines and often fall while burning, making firefighting around them very dangerous. Bulldozers are employed in constructing fireline [fuel breaks] and ‘hand-crews’ are constructing fireline in terrain not workable by dozers.”

Martynowych explained that other large fires started the same day stretched resources to fight the fires.

Sullivan County Department of Health’s advice said, “The smoke released by any type of fire (forest, brush, crop, structure, tires, waste or wood burning) is a mixture of particles and chemicals produced by incomplete burning of carbon-containing widespread smoke.

“Inhaling smoke for a short time can cause immediate (acute) effects. Smoke is irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat, and its odor may be nauseating. Some people exposed to heavy smoke have temporary changes in lung function, which makes breathing more difficult. Two of the major agents in smoke that can cause health effects are carbon monoxide gas and very small particles.

“Inhaling carbon monoxide decreases the body’s oxygen supply. This can cause headaches, reduce alertness, and aggravate a heart condition known as angina. Inhaling fine particles can cause a variety of health effects, including respiratory irritation and shortness of breath, and can worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

“Anyone with persisting or frequent symptoms that they think are associated with smoke exposure should see their health care provider. Residents who have respiratory conditions or medical conditions that may be exposed to area smoke from fires are urged to stay indoors.”

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