State: Massive forest fires were intentionally set
By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — The massive forest fires raging in Monroe County were set intentionally, state officials say.
The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry at the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources made the announcement on Sunday, as the fires continued to burn with only 30 percent containment.
The state is offering $5,000 to anyone with information leading to arrest of the person or persons responsible.
Jim Hyland, Forest Program Specialist, said anyone with confidential information can call 717-362-1472 or 570-895-4000.
He said the combined fires have now consumed 5,600 acres and destroyed four permanent structures in the forested border area near Pike County. The fires started in the area of Sixteen-Mile Road and Bear Town, east of Cresco.
Late last Friday afternoon, Marty Martynowych of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said the fire was expected to continue for days.
The community of Pine Flats in Porter Township was evacuated Sunday. And District Forest Manager Timothy Dugan closed a portion of the Delaware State Forest to all access. The area bounded by Route 402, Highline Road, Pine Flats Road, and Hobday Road will be closed until further notice, and visitors to all other portions of the Delaware State Forest should use caution and discretion, Dugan said.
In addition, state fire managers urge those who fly drones to avoid any wildfire area to ensure the safety of firefighters and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Firefighters count on aircraft to monitor the fire and to drop loads of water. Civilian aircraft, including drones, should not fly within five miles of a wildfire, the fire managers say.
Dingman fire chief Mark O’Brien said the township was alerted to the fire late on April 20. By that time, fire had covered a 900-acre area.
O’Brien said last Friday he thought four separate fires had started at around the same time but quickly combined into two large fires.
As of Sunday afternoon one of the biggest fires, in Bear Town, had been put down.
“A lot of the area there is covered in dead wood," O'Brien said. "It’s dry, and the fire spread quickly due to the wind and other weather conditions."
Thick smoke filled the air in Pike and Sullivan counties. On Friday, some schools in Sullivan canceled after-school activities, and the Sullivan County Health Department warned people with health problems to stay indoors.
“Low humidity, highly flammable fuel types, and shifting winds have hampered fire control efforts," Martynowych stated in an email. As of Saturday, aircraft had made 183 water drops totaling 62,550 gallons.
The area’s dead trees, called snags, spread embers over control lines and often fall while burning, making firefighting around them very dangerous, Martynowych said.
“Bulldozers are employed in constructing fireline and 'hand-crews' are constructing line in terrain not workable by dozers," he said.
A fireline is the same as a firebreak — an obstacle, like a strip of open space in the woods, to stop the spread of fire.
As of Saturday night, the fire covered 5,600 acres and destroyed four permanent structures despite “an enormous firefighting effort,” Hyland said.
Crews continue to monitor the perimeter and control hot spots in Bear Town fire area.
Hyland also warned that smoky conditions will continue. The Sixteen-Mile Road fire continues to burn, and winds may push the smoke toward residential areas.
Caution should be observed while driving in the area, as fire crews may be staging equipment along public roads and smoke may impair visibility, Hyland said. Snow Hill Road may be temporarily closed from Route 402 to Marshall’s Creek Road because of the fire.
“Today, firefighters are continuing fire suppression efforts," Hyland said. "However, low humidity, rugged terrain, and highly flammable fuel types will continue to be problematic factors in controlling the fire.”
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