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Kids Playing With Firecrackers Spark North Fayette Brush Fire

NORTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- A brush fire sent plumes of smoke into the air this afternoon near several homes in North Fayette Township, and it wasn't the only one reported Monday.

The North Fayette fire broke out after 2 p.m. near the 100-block of Azalea Drive.

The fire affected at least 200 acres. Luckily, it moved away from the nearby homes.

"It started out pretty small, but the winds kicked up and it ended up getting ahead of us," said Chief Bill Hartman, of the Oakdale Fire Department. "It's pretty dry, the grass and everything even though with all the weather – the snow – but it's still pretty dry, a lot of leaves down and everything. But this one was started with kids playing with firecrackers."

The view from NewsChopper 2 showed crews on the scene working to put it out. It was one of several brush fires that broke out during the Monday afternoon and evening hours in four different counties.

Another brush fire sent crews to Clairton Monday evening. It broke out in the 600-block of Grandview Avenue. There were no reports of any injuries or structures being threatened.

Meanwhile, brush fires were also reported Monday afternoon in Indiana Township, Plum Boro, North Huntingdon Township in Westmoreland County, and Plum Creek Township in Armstrong County.

It's not that hard to keep your home safe if you live near the woods.

Experts say clear leaves and brush at least 70 feet from your house, keep storage sheds as far from the home as possible, woodpiles up to 30 feet away, keep 50 feet of garden hose ready to go and avoid outdoor burning during the spring and fall fire season.

The National Forest Service says 90 percent of wild land fires are started by people.

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