Fast Moving Brush Fire in London Britain Township

Unusually high temperatures for April, combined with a windy day and low humidity, created ripe conditions for brush fires on Wednesday, April 10, and the result was a multi-acre brush fire in a park in London Britain Township.

The West Grove Fire Company was dispatched at 10:34 am for a brush fire along Flint Hill Road, south of Strickersville Road. Minutes later, coming from the fire company's new substation located in London Britain Township, Engine 32 began its response, noting immediately a large smoke column coming from that area. Simultaneously, Brush 12 also responded from New London. Ambulance 22-1, Assistant Chief 22 and Engine 22 also responded.

Reports from the county emergency services center reported callers stating a large area of more than two acres was on fire, entering the woods, and beginning to advance toward the Flint Hill Crossing development (located east of the fire location).

Engine 32 arrived on location and confirmed the reports, requesting two additional brush units and an additional engine, and established Flint Hill Command. Captain 32 noted fire conditions along a very lengthy fire line, with visible 20' high flames to the south, east and northeast of the engine's position -- with advancement east due to the strong winds.

Engine 32 left the parking lot and drove over the fields into the fire zone, positioning itself to fight fire on the south and east sides of the fire, deploying 200 feet of 1-3/4" handlines. This line was ultimately increased by another 200 feet with additional hoseline and knocked down the fire in the south and south east areas.

Brush units from Station 21 Oxford and Cecil County 13 Elkton were dispatched along with water tankers from Station 19 Hockessin and Station 23 Avondale.

Assistant Chief 22 arrived at the scene and assumed Flint Hill command, positioned along Flint Hill Road with an incident command vehicle. Captain 32 assumed the Operations role and was assisted by Captain 22. Brush 12 and Engine 22 also arrived and were directed into the fire field to begin attacking the fire along the east and northeast sectors.

Engine 12 arrived and entered the field supplying a 1000 gallons of water to Engine 32, then left the fire scene to return to Station 32 and establish a water supply using the WGFC's buried water source (15,000 gallons) at the new station.

Also arriving was Brush 21 which was deployed to fight the fire line in the northwest corner, working the fire line to the east. Tankers from 21, 19 and 23 arrived, and established a water operation utilizing Tanker 21's 8000 gallon water supply. Command requested an additional brush unit 24 Kennett, along with the ATV unit from Station 36 Unionville.

Engine 22 held it's position on the east side, using it's water supply to refill the brush trucks. Engine 32, having completed it's assignment on the southeast corner, dropped it's 400 foot line, and re-positioned to the northeast corner and extended another 200 foot pre-connect to fight fire on that side, supporting brush piece from 21. Engine 21-2 also entered the field, supplying 1000 gallons of water to Engine 32.

With major advancing fires knocked down, Captain 32 and Captain 22 directed the multiple brush units to ride along the fire line, hosing down hot spots and working to assure there were no flareups, especially in the windy conditions. Brush units were also utilized to wet the entire area of the fire zone. The country forestry unit was also dispatched to the scene.

Due to the hot conditions and significant handline stretching, crews were run through a rehab sector, established in the center of the fire field at Engine 32. Ambulance 22's crew was supplemented with the crew from Ambulance 23-2 which also responded to the scene.

The fire was declared under control at 12:07pm. Standby units which were dispatched to cover the West Grove stations, covered another fire in the district -- an appliance fire, and some units from the brush fire (which were available) were sent to that minor incident. Crews remained on scene for another hour finishing hot spots and clean up, with all units clearing the scene just before 1:00pm.

Brush 12 and Engine 32 returned to the fire scene at 1:39pm to address a few hot spots and cleared the scene for good at 2:46pm. Crews cleaned and washed hose, with final work completed at just before 4:00pm.