Photo by John Schatz
Photo by Cameron County Fire Wire
Photo by Austin Fire Dept.
The Austin Fire Department's report of yesterday's fire in Wharton township, Potter County.
About a mile North of the Sinnemahoning State Park.
Shared from their FB page
Last evening at 18:04 Station 44 was dispatched for a Wildfire in Wharton Township.
Chief 44-10 (J.Burgett), Captain 44 (A.Bothell), Patrol 44-4 / 44-14 with Chief 44-30 (S.Hostetlar), Tanker 44-5 with Lt.44 (S.Foringer), Ambulance 44-6 with Chief 44-60 (T.Orlowski) and Chief 44-70 (S.Orlowski), Rescue 44-8, and Patrol 44-24 responded.
Responding units were soon met by large amounts of smoke covering the area. Chief 44-10 (J.Burgett) was first on scene reporting large wildfire on the opposite side of the river moving quickly uphill, establishing Austin Command.
Command requested DCNR, and Brush Trucks from Station 48 (Coudersport), Company 14 (Emporium) and Company 16 (Sinnamahoning).
Patrol 44-4 / 44-14 with manpower deployed to the right flank and worked to establish a fire line and extinguish fire. Tanker 44-5 staged. Ambulance 44-6 set up rehab and accountability. Rescue Crew provided traffic control. Patrol 44-24 with manpower deployed to Pine Island Drive to get ahead of the fire, and worked to establish fire lines and extinguish fire.
A short time later Command requested availability of an air drop, an additional brush truck from McKean 3 (Port) and notified National Fuel as Fire was nearing their well area.
At 19:53 Ambulance 44-6 diverted from the scene and responded to a reported UTV Accident in the Driftwood Boro. Command requested an Ambulance from 49 (Coudersport) to cover the fire scene. Ambulance 44-6 was advised of accident with 2 patient one possibly in need of land rescue. A utility unit from Emporium also cleared the fire scene to assist. Ambulance 44-6 was the first arriving unit to the UTV accident, with Chief 44-60 (T.Orlowski) immediately requesting 2 helicopters airborne. Stat 6 & Stat 11 responded. Land Rescue was unnecessary. Ambulance 44-6 and Ambulance 7-21 (Emporium) both transported to a landing zone in the Driftwood Boro secured by Engine 20 (Karthaus), Engine 1 (St.Mary’s), Utility 14 (Emporium) and personnel from Company 16 (Sinnamahoning). Stat 6 & 11 landed and departed safely. Ambulance 44-6 then cleared the scene and responded back to the fire scene.
Command was notified that air drop was unavailable to this fire, but a dozer and additional rangers were en route. Command also requested brush truck and manpower from 46 (Roulette). Additional Fire Police responded from Emporium.
Crews worked the fire in high temperatures and steep incline for over 4 hours. Exact size of the fire is unknown at this time but estimated at well over 20 acres.
At 22:59 Command reported scene turned over to DCNR all units returning.
At 23:44 Ambulance 44-6 with Chief 44-60 (T.Orlowski) and Lt.44 (S.Foringer) responded to a 3rd call, a Medical Emergency in Keating Township.
A huge thank you all our mutual aid companies who assisted, and those moved up to cover other stations. Also a big thank you goes out to the Local community members, Austin Baseball Association, Perry’s Store & Austin VFW for donating food and ice for our responders! And to all our members who cooked and brought drinks to the scene.
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