Elkland SAR responded to the forest fire
Delayed Post:
Around 3:55pm Wednesday(110922) Elkland SAR responded to the forest fire north of Rt. 555 at the request of Elk Co. Chief 5, with 12 members and all available equipment. Once arriving at the Command Post Chief 5 requested Elkland to work the eastern flank of the forest fire and report to Elk Co. Deputy 1, at the forward operations post. 2 Elkland members worked traffic control on Rt. 555, Elkland 2 stayed at Command and Elkland 1 and 8 others headed to the forward ops post.
Deputy 1 asked the team to head to the eastern fire break on the pipeline to hold the fireline. Elkland members teamed up with Elk Co. 1 equipment, members who were already working the fire with a DCNR team. Once Elkland members drove the 1/2 mile south to the fire, it was discovered the pipeline was already jumped and the fire was heading further north and east. Departments in that area regrouped and members went to work to stop the eastern flank on the fire with other departments already in the area working to stop the western flank fire from spreading north and west.
The fire heading north was stopped on the eastern flank at the top of the mountain, but the fire was still burning east and up the next ridge, heading north that direction. As the team was refilling water backpacks, they were met up with an additional department and the work resumed on the eastern flank and ridge. This department was another DCNR team of about 12 to 16 individuals I believe. After returning again to the UTVs for more water and to get a drink, additional departments arrived to help. I believe the was the team from Elk Co. 7, Sykesville and Brockway that formed a team of forestfirefighters to help at the fire and continued to work the eastern flank. Elk Co. 8 and I believe McKean Station 5, Kane, also arrived on scene with their brush unit and manpower to assist on the eastern fire line.
While this was going on, other departments were working their way up the mountain from the bottom. Im sorry i can’t identify what departments were coming up from the bottom but this was a HUGE TEAM EFFORT BY ALL DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED! They were also working to contain the fire by building fire break lines and working on the fire line itself to stop it. This was all of the eastern side of the fire. While this was going on, the western flank was just as busy or busier. As I write this only from my view of what I seen going on at the eastern flank.
Once the eastern flank was contained and able to be watched at night by DCNR so the fire wouldn’t jump the line, Elkland members returned to the Rt. 555 Command Post.
Around 9:45pm, as all the Elkland equipment was loaded up and the members were ready to return, it was discovered the western flank escaped the fire line and was heading west again around the first bench on the mountain . Elkland members traveled west of the Rt. 555 Command Post about a quarter of a mile and staged awaiting orders. Elkland, along with other departments, were requested to hike up the mountain and work to contain the area where the fire jumped the line. 8 members went up and using hand tools and water bladders work with the other departments to contain the fire. Around 1:45 am, the fire was contained and we were released to return home. It should be noted DCNR stayed on scene to protect the fire line and work on hotspots that were still burned within the fire line.
Notes:
This article only reflects on the efforts of Elkland SAR. This was a HUGE TEAM EFFORT on EVERYONE’S PART THAT WAS INVOLVED WITH THIS INCIDENT! This fire shows the EXTREME EFFORT Every Fire Department and Emergency Responder will take to support their fellow emergency responders no matter where they are requested to go. It was humbling to see so many departments working together for the community.
A shout out to ALL the Dispatchers who worked tirelessly also! These individuals were manning the radios and talking to numerous departments that were dispatched via radio at the same time. They were requesting agencies from other departments and counties. All the while bringing in resources to fill the departments that were on scene of the forest fire. They are also covering the phone lines talking to other counties and checking for additional resources. While all this was going on, they are also handling other 911 calls and taking phone calls to keep the rest of the county and surrounding areas safe.
Elkand SAR encourages you to look around on other sites and view the other photos from this fire.
A Thank You to the fire auxiliaries and agencies that worked to bring food and drinks for the emergency responders or for their departments as they arrived back home.
The attached pictures are an accumulation of many FB posts and also some from our team.
Elkland SAR can only be a part of situations like this because of Your Financial Support that You the community provides us to work with. Without You, we can not do what we do!
Are you interested in becoming a member of Elkland Search and Rescue?
The next membership meeting is January 10th at 8pm. Please attend the meet and greet at 7:30 that evening to start the joining process. Please be a resident of Elk County Pa and at least 18 years old and attend that meeting. I encourage you to put that date on your calendar as a reminder of the meeting.
Respectfully Submitted by:
John Feldbauer
Chief of Elkland Search and Rescue