Firefighters Race Against Time as Bear Mountain Blaze Threatens Homes

JIM THORPE, Pa. — Firefighters are engaged in a fierce battle against a wildfire on Bear Mountain, touching Jim Thorpe and neighboring Franklin and Mahoning Townships. The fire, which erupted Saturday afternoon, has already spread to over 460 acres and poses a significant risk to nearby structures and residents.

As the blaze continued to advance, state fire crews from across Pennsylvania have been mobilized to assist in containment efforts. Authorities reported that firefighters worked through the night to extinguish hotspots and protect homes, utilizing helicopters and drones equipped with advanced firefighting technology.

On Monday, Larry Bickel, public information officer for the Packerton Incident, confirmed, “We are dedicating more resources,” as the teams planned to utilize drones to enhance their firefighting strategies. These drones will help assess the situation from the air and drop water directly onto the flames.

The fire ignited near the D&L Trail, just below the Perch Restaurant in Mahoning Township, at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday. By Sunday, the wildfire had reached dangerously close to residential neighborhoods, prompting residents like Ruth Ann Bramich to prepare for evacuation. “The flames were coming down the mountain,” Bramich recounted. “I got all the important stuff on the table ready to go.”

Although no structures have been damaged so far, Jake Novitsky, a fire forester for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, expressed his concerns about the dry conditions that are complicating firefighting efforts. “Because of the dry conditions and the lack of rain in the forecast, it will take approximately a week to fully extinguish the fire,” he said.

Volunteer firefighters have been active in the area, staging operations near key locations such as the Jim Thorpe market and the Mauch Chunk fire tower. Throughout the ordeal, helicopters from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have been dropping buckets of water on the blaze, although those water drops will cease overnight as personnel continue to monitor the situation on the ground.

Conditions remain challenging. “We’re having a lot of trouble with the terrain,” Novitsky remarked. “It’s pretty dry and hard to contain.” With up to 100 personnel fighting the blaze at any given time, he praised their efforts, stating, “All the volunteer firefighters did an excellent job.”

In downtown Jim Thorpe, visible smoke clouds forced local officials to send county employees home Monday morning. As Commissioner Rocky Ahner stated, the smoky conditions posed risks to office workers situated near the town center.

While the origins of the fire are still under investigation, officials continue to monitor the situation closely, aiming to protect both lives and property as firefighting efforts persist.