Indiana County first responders stayed busy on Sunday as the spring-like conditions brought on several fire calls.
Out of seven brush fires reported yesterday, three happened between noon and 1 p.m. The first sent Indiana Fire Association members to a home along Sunset Drive in White Township around 12:03 p.m. Indiana Assistant Fire Chief Ron Moreau said it was a small backyard fire where wind blew ashes into a tree line, lighting off a small, but potentially serious, fire. Homeowners controlled the fire quickly, while fire crews doused the hot spots.
The next two brush fires happened within 15 minutes of each other. One sent Elderton and Indiana fire crews to Route 156 in Armstrong Township at 12:47 p.m. Moreau said crews handled that fire quickly, but were then diverted to the third fire, reported along Dutch Run Road around 12:58. Elderton and Creekside fire departments were initially dispatched, with Indiana called in to assist five minutes later.
The fourth brush fire of the day sent Saltsburg, Tunnelton, Iselin/West Lebanon, Coal Run/McIntyre and Bell Township fire departments to a home along 10th Street in Conemaugh Township. Then, the Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Reynolds Road in West Wheatfield Township around 2:27 p.m.
The final brush fire was reported around 2:44 p.m. and it sent Clyde and Armagh/East Wheatfield fire departments initially dispatched to Germany Lutheran Cemetery Road in West Wheatfield Township. Black Lick and New Florence crews were called in to assist nine minutes later, while Aultman, Creekside, and Coral/Graceton were called for standby detail.
Details on the final four brush fires are not available at this time. This brings the countywide total to 17 brush fires this year.
