Brush Fires Tax First Responder Resources
by Alex Lloyd Gross
With no rain in the forecast for over a month, the ground is dry. Soil is parched and leaves are brittle. Perfect weather for large brush fires to ignite. This region has seen multiple brush fires in Philadelphia, New Hope, Bristol and Bensalem.
When fires are first reported, getting to them quickly is crucial. Otherwise, the fire looks extinguished on the surface. Underground, the ground is hot and fires burn. That is why there is going to be extended fire suppression operation in some areas.
Officials said that since the ground is hard, water cannot penetrate easily and stays towards the surface. The ground must be dug up and turned. The ground is then wet with water and firefighters have to keep an eye on it. There are some agencies that will add dish detergent to portable cans or water. This can saturate the ground a bit better.
A brush fire last night near New Hope near Lower Mountain Road rekindled and kept firefighters busy. A burn ban is in effect for most of the region. This means no fire pits, campfires or open burning. Cooking on charcoal grill is still permitted.