Piedmont Lake Brush Fire Totals Pontoon Boat and Motor Home

A fast moving brush fire Sunday afternoon along Skyline Drive west of Piedmont Lake and north of Sewellsville burnt several acres, totaled a pontoon boat and motorhome camper. Ten area volunteer fire departments responded including Antrim, Barnesville, Belmont, Bethesda, Fairview, Freeport, Holloway,  Lafferty,  Morristown, Quaker City and Moorefield Twp. (Piedmont) bringing the fire under control after about four hours.

Fairview VFD personnel provided more details. “Side by Sides from several departments were utilized, and a fill site was set up at the lake to fill tankers.”

Initially there was concern the fire would spread to several nearby residences.

Freeport VFD Facebook Photos

Barnesville crews returned to the scene Monday when embers in a dead tree reignited.         

Monday, the National Weather Service issued this warning:

Special Weather Statement: National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA

INCREASED FIRE DANGER THIS AFTERNOON. Low relative humidity values resulting from exceptionally dry weather will impose an increased risk for fire spread this afternoon. Relative humidity values are expected to drop into the upper 30 to low 40 percent range during peak heating hours across eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia.

Southerly wind gusts to 15-20 mph at times are expected this afternoon. Exercise enhanced caution with activities that involve open flames or sparks as fires can easily spread in these weather conditions.

Local Drought Conditions Unchanged

US Drought Monitor Map of Ohio, November 7

WASHINGTON, DC –  Southeast Ohio remains in the grip of the more extreme drought conditions of levels D3 & D4 including the all of the local Barnesville area in the D4 “Exceptional Drought” category.