Dry weather causes brush fire in Bowmanstown

Several fire companies responded to a large brush fire in the 600 block of Oak Street in Bowmanstown Saturday afternoon.

When firefighters arrived, they found the wind-swept flames traveling quickly uphill into a mountainous area. Due to the remote location of the scene, water had to be tanked into the site.

Fire companies responding included East Penn, Bowmanstown and Palmerton.

Over the weekend, Aquashicola Fire Department posted on Facebook that the department is having one of the busiest starts to the new year so far.

On Saturday, the department responded to an excavator fire, the Bowmanstown brush fire and two additional brush fires on Sunday.

“These fires are directly related to burning during dry, windy weather conditions compounded by poor judgment,” the department said.

The department requests all people refrain from open burning during the dry season.

“Your cooperation will be appreciated and may keep you from experiencing a very expensive and costly mistake,” the post said.