Blue Mountain Fire Crews Grateful for Unprecedented Community Support Amid Challenges
After a brush fire started on Blue Mountain on Saturday and expanded significantly, community members donated so much support to the Lehigh Township Volunteer Fire Co. that they had to inform the public they no longer need material donations. The department’s Facebook page went as far to encourage people to keep anything they’d already purchased for the contribution drive for their own usage. The department is still accepting monetary donations on a Square page. As of Sunday, the fire company is being stationed at numerous residences along the mountain for structural protection, and several roads have been closed. Fire Commissioner Rick Hildebrand Jr. estimates the fire covered about 40 acres before potentially doubling or tripling overnight, and noted the fire’s spread being eastward from Route 248 on the mountain, has been difficult to combat due to location, terrain, and drought conditions.
John Q. Hosedrinker