Girard Township, PA – Crews have been working tirelessly, nearly around the clock, to conduct an extensive overhaul and mop-up operation on the firegrounds. On Tuesday morning, they returned to the area after new reports of smoke. Upon arrival, crews identified and began tackling pockets of active fire along the outer edges of the burned zone. After knocking down these initial flames, they began a systematic sweep of the area to identify any remaining hotspots.

Personnel from Girard, Lake City, and West Ridge worked across multiple sectors of the firegrounds. In several areas, crews discovered underground fires, where roots and a layer of smoldering “duff” – the dense, organic forest floor material – presented hidden risks. Using specialized forestry tools, they meticulously broke up and cleared this layer, ensuring that no embers could reignite or potentially spread to nearby fuel sources.

Members of the Crawford Erie County Wildlands Crew concentrated on their designated anchor point, where a minor burnover had occurred. They worked along the Brandy Run Creek bed, where challenging, steep terrain added to the difficulty of the task. Crews worked extensively to ensure that all hotspots were eliminated and ensured that a fireline was well established in the area.

Support came from additional crews and resources from A.F. Dobler Hose & Ladder Co., Lake City Fire Company, Platea Volunteer Fire Company, Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department, West Ridge Fire Department, Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, and Fuller Hose Company #1, all working together to ensure the area was thoroughly secured.