Forest Fires Burn Nearly 500 Acres At Ohiopyle State Park
OHIOPYLE, Pa. (AP/KDKA) — Two forest fires at a state park in western Pennsylvania burned nearly 500 acres of woodlands before they were extinguished early Friday.
The fires broke out Thursday at opposite ends of Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County.
A fire along Dunbar Road in a state game lands areas was reported shortly after 5 p.m. and consumed more than 250 acres of woodlands before it was extinguished about eight hours later. The second blaze occurred near Victoria Flats and Rock Spring roads, destroying more than 200 acres of woodlands along the Youghiogheny River before it was brought under control.
Authorities said this week's warm, dry weather and strong winds likely were contributing factors in the fires.
In a post on Facebook, Connellsville Mayor Greg Lincoln said:
"Hoping all of those volunteer firefighters are kept safe tonight while battling the wildfires in Ohiopyle State Park. Let's all send positive thoughts & prayers their way. We need this storm to roll through soon too. It's going to be a long night."
No injuries were reported, authorities said, and there were no homes in the path of the fires.
On Friday afternoon, officials contained another small brush fire near Hall Road.
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