Pocono News Section

Brush Fires Caused Some Residents to Evacuate

Brush Fires Caused Some Residents to Evacuate - Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 5:37PM EST

Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 @ 05:37pm EST

LUZERNE COUNTY- Judy Correll of Laurel Run always knew she had a great view but she never wanted to see this, "it is frightening, because it's very widespread". She watches as the brush fire creeps towards her home. "The smoke was horrible, we had to shut our bedroom windows last night, we couldn't open them at all, we couldn't breathe"

On the other side of the mountain in Hanover Township Steve Turinski recalls what he saw Saturday night. "After it got dark, you could actually see the flames, and it's not something you want to sleep on."

Not too far from there fire inspector Robert Mcjilton is trying to find where and how this all started. "These points were taken by the aircraft; we met our first objective, now we have to hit our second one"

Firefighter Seth Opeil is part of a crew in Mountaintop working to contain it. "Fire departments are at it, trying to control it, but it's still a little concern for me and everyone else who lives near the top of the mountain."

There were near 75 people evacuated Saturday evening, but all were able to return by 11pm .

People living near the brush fire credit firefighters with keeping the flames from reaching their homes. You can see this crew hiking off "baby's road" in Hanover Township and up Route 309 to reach some of the fire. The department of conservation and natural resources says crews are prepared to fight in the scorching heat. Firefighters are keeping an eye out 24 hours a day, and it looks like they'll need to for a couple more days.