| Sykesville firefighters, assisted by crews from neighboring departments from three counties, battled a wind-driven woods fire Thursday afternoon, November 10.
The call was received at 12:19 pm for the fire to the rear of 7725 Stoney Ridge Drive, off of Arrington Road. Brush 125 and Engine 123 responded and arrived to find approximately three acres of woods burning to the rear of the residence.
Paid supervisor Donald Isennock navigated the brush unit into the woods along the right flank of the fire. He sized up the situation and immediately requested two additional brush units. Engine 123's crew joined the brush crew and began the attack on the fire.
Lieutenant Robbie Ruch arrived and assumed command of the incident. After a brief walk-around of the area involved, he requested a brush task force, which is comprised of three additional brush trucks, an engine company, a water tanker, and a medic unit.
As crews arrived, they were assigned to create a fire break around the area to prevent fire spread. Crews used rakes, leaf blowers, hoselines and portable water tanks to control the fire. Other crews using chain saws cut burning snags and felled trees that were burning. A forestry officer from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources was also on the scene.
Crews were on the scene for roughly two hours controlling and containing the fire. Fire officials believe the cause was accidental, possibly the result of a branch falling across an electric fence line. There were no injuries. |
