MAVFC Units Assist Mongomery County on Large Brush Fire

On Tuesday March 31, at 1344 hours (1:44 pm), Carroll County Emergency Communications dispatched Brush 15 to assist Montgomery County with a large brush fire in the area of 7235 Damascus Road near Laytonsville. Montgomery County units arrived to find approximately 25 acres of field and woods on fire spreading rapidly and threatening structures. Command requested multiple resources to include Tanker 1, and MSP Trooper 2 to get a better view of the area that was burning. Brush 15 arrived and was assigned to work the northern perimeter of the fire while Tanker 1 was assigned to assist with water supply.

Montgomery County DFRS issued a statement that approximately 43 acres of brush and woods were burned and the cause of the fire was determined to be a citizen burning a leaves in a fire pit. There were 13 brush trucks, 11 engines, 1 ladder truck, 8 tankers, 1 medic unit, multiple command and staff officers working 3 operational divisions of the incident. There were 2 separate water dump/fill sites set up to maintain a water supply in this rural area without hydrants. Units from DNR remained on the scene into the night to continue to work on hot spots and cutting down burned out trees. This large scale incident lasted over 5 hours with no injuries and no structures involved. MAVFC units cleared at approximately 1730hrs (5:30pm).