NJFFSA16
09-13-2002, 06:55 AM
ORIOLE, Md. (AP) - Firefighters battled a 300-acre wildfire near
Deale Island on Wednesday that burned the tops of trees more than
30 feet high.
The fire started last weekend and had been contained, said
Department of Natural Resources spokesman John Surrick, but it's
been fanned by shifting winds and jumped its containment line.
The fire was reported 75 percent contained late Wednesday.
Some area residents were evacuated, Surrick said. A shelter has
been set up at Washington High School. Two outbuildings were
burned, but no one was injured, Surrick said.
Somerset County Emergency Services spokesman Bob Wells says six
fire companies were called in to help battle the blaze, with one
coming from as far away as Wallops Island, Va. Maryland Department
of Natural Resources Forest Service firefighters also are on the
scene.
Wells says the fire was fanned by winds that changed direction,
from the northeast to the northwest.
Deale Island on Wednesday that burned the tops of trees more than
30 feet high.
The fire started last weekend and had been contained, said
Department of Natural Resources spokesman John Surrick, but it's
been fanned by shifting winds and jumped its containment line.
The fire was reported 75 percent contained late Wednesday.
Some area residents were evacuated, Surrick said. A shelter has
been set up at Washington High School. Two outbuildings were
burned, but no one was injured, Surrick said.
Somerset County Emergency Services spokesman Bob Wells says six
fire companies were called in to help battle the blaze, with one
coming from as far away as Wallops Island, Va. Maryland Department
of Natural Resources Forest Service firefighters also are on the
scene.
Wells says the fire was fanned by winds that changed direction,
from the northeast to the northwest.