Despite red flag warnings being posted yesterday warning against burning, seven more brush fires were reported yesterday by Indiana County 911.
The first was at 1:40 PM near the former Ox Hill Fairgrounds and Morrow Road in South Mahoning Township. Plumville Volunteer Fire Department was initially dispatched, with Marion Center and Creekside fire departments called in to provide assistance just after the first call, and Indiana Fire Association was called in about 37 minutes later. Coal Run/McIntyre and Clymer fire departments were called in for standby detail.
Indiana and Homer City fire departments were called out at 3:20 PM for a reported brush fire on Indian Springs Road in White Township, with Coral-Graceton, Coal Run and Creekside firefighters dispatched to assist 13 minutes later.
Brush fires were also reported on Indiana Road in Creekside Borough at 3:39 PM, Sawmill Road in North Mahoning Township at 4:06 PM, Strangford Road in Burrell Township at 4:49 PM, along route 711 in East Wheatfield Township at 6:15 PM, and Wrigden Run Road in North Mahoning Township at 11:43 PM.
Indiana County and the rest of Western Pennsylvania are still under an elevated risk of fire spread today, mainly in the afternoon hours. This is due to dried fuel like grass and twigs, low humidity and wind speeds of around 10 miles an hour. An advisory yesterday from the Indiana Service and Fire Prevention Forester in Gallitzin says that people should refrain from burning for the rest of this week. And in Burrell Township, officials have put a burn ban in place until further notice. No outdoor fires of any type are permitted.
