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Fire crews are still at work trying to control this brush fire that has burned through hundreds of acres of land.
Bright-burning flames could be seen scattered all across the mountain in Jim Thorpe.
What started as a small fire at the base of Bear Mountain quickly traveled up to the ridge and evolved into a massive fire spanning well over 600 acres.
“Every time we would do a hand line or make some good progress, the wind would shift and it would blow fire right across our lines,” Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Fire Forester Jake Novitsky said.
Novitsky says high winds and difficult terrain caused the fire to spread quickly and out of control.
He says wind gusts reached 40 to 50 miles per hour on the ridge Sunday afternoon, and the lack of progress made on the ground led to air assets being called in for much of the day.
“The air resources definitely, really helped us out. Just to kind of make any progressions that we did today. We did make a lot of progress, but we’re definitely not out of the woods yet,” Novitsky explained.
A helicopter could be seen going back and forth between the mountainside and the Lehigh River to refill.
People within the community and the surrounding area came out to witness the wicked wildfire.
They all expressed concern for the community and firefighters on the ground.
“It’s Easter Sunday and right now they’re out there trekking through the woods and whatnot and trying to do their best to contain this thing,” Tamaqua Ernie Shilko said.
“This is something you don’t see every day, and you start thinking to yourself, ‘I hope everybody’s safe and nobody’s home is in the direct path,'” said David Kotansky from Nesquehoning.
Navitsky told 28/22 News that they will have crews working on the ground throughout the night.
With more dry weather in the forecast, they say it could take a week before the fire is finally put out.
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