Today's weather conditions make small fires tough to tame throughout Montgomery, Bucks counties

Fire Prevention Week may have been last week (Oct. 6 to 12, 2024), but it is this week that seems to be starting out with a blaze.

From an afternoon brush fire in Fountainville, to call outs all throughout our readership area, there have been plenty of incidents to keep local fire companies bustling. While most residents have focused on the dipping temperatures, it is the winds today that have made for the perfect storm of easily lit brush and outdoor fires.

Today (Monday, Oct. 14) alone, the following callouts were made in our coverage areas alone.

Upper Dublin | Sandra Ave.

3:46 p.m.

Building Fire

Powerlines sparking due to branches touching them

Horsham | Keith Valley Road (Select Soccer Center)

3:45 p.m.

Electrical Fire Outside

Tree fell on wires

Upper Salford | Schwenksville Road at Spring Mount Road

Electrical Fire Outside

2:39 p.m.

Tree fell on wires affecting multiple poles, wires down and smoking

Abington | 1551 Huntingdon Pike (Redeemer Village Apartments)

Woods/Field Fire

2:42 p.m.

Fire in the grass and trees

Lower Gwynedd | Ambler Area YMCA

12:15 p.m.

Woods/Field Fire

Mulch on fire

Abington | Thomson Road

10:59 a.m.

Electrical Fire Outside

Tree and wires on fire

It is best not to burn any materials today, as the wind may pick up at any time. The grass and surrounding brush is dry enough to light.

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the best ways to prevent such fires is to check weather and drought conditions. Other tips include:

• Keep vehicles off of dry grass
• Regularly maintain equipment and vehicles
• Check tires, bearings, and axels on trailers/campers
• Keep sparks away from dry brush

Some steps may sound like common sense, but fall can be a particularly optimal time for dry leaves, easily caught brush, and dry, dying grass. Use caution outdoors to prevent more incidents in our area.