A brush fire at 733 Elk Lake Drive in Clinton Township Thursday afternoon required, “a lot of manual labor to keep it in check,” says Browndale Assistant Fire Chief Ron Richards.

“The fire, which burned several acres, also consumed a tractor in the process (and) was only accessible on foot. The brush fire became a labor of intensive effort, taking over 90 minutes to extinguish,” was the message Richards posted at the company’s website: www.43fire.com.

The Assistant Chief said the fire was “tough to get at” because of where it was, about 1000 feet back in the woods. Richards says the property is located between Elk Lake Drive and Giles Road.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but is not believed to be suspicious, he said. With current dry conditions, the Assistant Chief urged citizens to, “Use good judgment with any type of outdoor burning (because) it could quickly get away.”
Richards says 34 firefighters were on scene, including members of Forest City, Pleasant Mount, Prompton, Seelyville, Vandling, and Waymart Volunteer Fire Departments.  Waymart Ambulance and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry were also on scene. “A lot of cooperation,” Richards said. Personnel remained on scene for about two hours.

Richards thanked the Salvation Army from Lake Ladore for providing the rescue personnel with water, fruit and granola bars. 

Wednesday’s fire
 Firefighters battled a brush fire on Alden Road in Dyberry Township, just past the Ponderosa Pines Campground, Wednesday afternoon.
Seelyville Fire Chief Norm Box says an acre or more of land was involved. A man was cutting trees on the property and burning brush, Box said, when the fire started. He said when they arrived on scene, flames were about “three to four foot in the air” and he was worried about nearby buildings. “These pine trees go up really quick. I’ve seen them go up in seconds,’ he said.
Along with Seelyville Volunteer Fire Department, Honesdale and Prompton Fire Departments were also toned out. Waymart Ambulance was also on scene.
The Chief said they had the fire under control in about a half an hour.