Town and Country Newspaper

Local News Article

Forest Fire Threatens Homes on Sumneytown Hill

Written by Larry Roeder, Editor
2012-04-05

Firefighters from Tylersport, Upper Salford and Green Lane fire companies were called to the scene of a woods fire in the 3400 block of Zepp Road around 4 p.m. Friday afternoon that kept them busy for more than four hours as they battled to keep the fire from threatening about a half-dozen nearby homes.

The fire burned about seven acres in the coveted Unami Forest area of Upper Salford Township.

According to Upper Salford Chief Paul Schneider, “The fire started when a controlled burn, being conducted near the top of the hill, spread into the nearby wooded area.”

The dry conditions and low dew point created a fire hazard that was broadcast by Montgomery County officials earlier Friday morning.

Volunteer firefighters were hampered by thick brush and rocky terrain in their efforts to make their way to the fire scene that was located on a hill about 2,000 feet off of Zepp Road.

Firefighters accessed the scene at the top of the hill from a driveway in Salford Township while those battling the fire from the bottom made their way up the hill from a driveway in Upper Salford Township.

Schneider declared the fire under control at 5:30 p.m. but firefighters remained on the scene until after 8 p.m. to mop up any hot spots that could reignite the fire.

About 60 firefighters fought the blaze and more than 12,000 gallons of water was dumped on the stubborn fire. Large tank trucks ferried water to the crews working at the top of the hill while firefighters drafted more than 6,000 gallons of water from a pond, located in the valley, to douse the fire from below.

Assisting at the scene were fire and fire police units from the Harleysville, Lower Frederick, Pennsburg, Red Hill, Telford and Upper Frederick fire companies as well as members of the Pennsylvania Forestry Service. A unit from Trumbauersville Fire Company was on stand-by in Tylersport’s fire station.

Also responding to the scene were canteen units from the North Penn Goodwill service and emergency service units from Green Lane Community and Upper Perkiomen Valley ambulance association

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