Brush fires abundant on Tuesday, fire hazard could continue without rain
Butler County fire departments responded to more than a dozen separate brush fires Tuesday, Nov. 5, across the county, including one that destroyed a Jefferson Township garage.
And while the weather may play its part in decreasing the risk of brush fires later this week, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service of Pittsburgh reminded residents Tuesday to watch out for windy and dry conditions before setting anything ablaze.
“There has not been real significant rainfall for a month, and there has been pretty warm weather during the daytime,” meteorologist Bill Modzelewski said. “Generally, wind gusts can pretty easily start fires, it’s important for people to watch out for the windy and dry conditions.”
On Monday morning, the National Weather Service issued an “increased fire danger warning” for a large portion of Western Pennsylvania, including Butler and surrounding counties. NWS made this decision due to low humidity and dry weather, along with 15 to 20 mph wind gusts.
Also related to the consistent dry conditions, the Pennsylvania Drought Task Force included Butler County in a drought watch late last week. Drought declarations are based on four factors — precipitation, stream flows, groundwater levels and soil moisture.
Modzelewski said that over the past couple days, weather conditions have shown numerous red flags related to burning, noting that its been so dry lately that lack of rainfall and low humidity make it very easy for brush fires to spread through leaves and other debris.
In the absence of rain, residents should be alert for any wind gusts that could create the risk of a fire spreading, Modzelewski said, but continued to say he is hopeful that a cold front Wednesday will move across the area — and hopefully bring some showers.
On Tuesday in Jefferson Township, firefighters were called to the 100 block of Jones Road in Jefferson Township just after 1 p.m. A brush fire had reportedly spread to a garage, according to scanner traffic.
Firefighters reported to 911 dispatchers that the garage was fully involved in flames, and asked for additional tankers.
Across the county, dispatchers said first responders were called out all day long. Locations included Saxonburg Boulevard in Clinton Township, Three Degree Road in Penn Township, Brewer Road in Clinton Township, Chicora Road in Oakland Township, Winterwood Drive in Connoquenessing Township, Howes Run Road in Buffalo Township, Perry Highway in Portersville, Mahood Road in Clay Township, Deercreek Road in Clinton Township and Harlansburg Road in Lawrence County.
Some of the fires were started by items in people’s yards, such as woodpiles and leaves, catching brush and spreading, according to dispatchers.
Brush fires has become an ongoing problem for Butler County, with previous Butler Eagle reporting showing that brush fires have been able to easily spread due to the recent dry weather, having the ability to burn down structures like garages.
Chuck Lewis, head of the ambulance command in Butler County, previously told the Butler Eagle that leaves and debris on the ground, along with just enough wind and nobody paying attention, can create an environment that stirs up brush fires and causes problems.
On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it was banning campfires at state parks and forests. It also asked residents to avoid burning anything outside of homes and in yards due to the ongoing drought.
At the time of the ban, there have been 100 reported wildfires statewide.
