Wildfire Rages on Blue Mountain, Appalachian Trail Closed Near Lehigh Gap

A significant wildfire is currently raging on Blue Mountain in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, prompting the closure of a section of the Appalachian Trail. The fire, reported near Lehigh Gap on the eastern side of the Lehigh River, has forced firefighting teams to suspend operations overnight due to safety concerns, with plans to resume efforts on Sunday morning.

The fire is located at the intersection of routes 248 and 873, and firefighters are facing challenges due to the rocky terrain. Traffic has been detoured off Route 248, and crews are using ATVs to access the trail and combat the blaze. The Lehigh Township Fire Department has established a command center to monitor and track the fire, and various state and local agencies are developing a plan to contain it.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has advised hikers to avoid the area, as the trail is currently closed near the fire site. A burn ban has been in effect since October 29, 2024, and there are concerns that the fire might have been caused by negligence, given the dry conditions and recent inquiries about fire restrictions.

Residents in the vicinity have been placed on standby for potential evacuations, and volunteer firefighters from Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon counties are on the scene. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is also involved in the firefighting efforts. No injuries have been reported, and the fire department is accepting donations of bottled water to support the firefighters.

The fire has been visible from great distances, and smoke and flames have been reported by multiple sources. The dry conditions in the area have exacerbated the situation, with some residents noting that they have never seen such arid conditions before.