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Last updated on Monday, April 23, 2018
(MORGAN-MONROE FOREST) - Firefighters worked diligently Sunday to contain a fire in the backwoods area in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest off Low Gap Road.
More than seven acres burned before the fire was extinguished, keeping crews on scene for about seven hours, according to a news release from Sgt. Jason Allen, public information officer for the Northern Monroe County Fire Protection Territory.
Hikers in the area reported the fire at 11:19 a.m., according to Lt. Mike Schwandt from the Northern Monroe Fire Territory.
Firefighters with Northern Monroe Fire Territory, Benton Township and the Department of Natural Resources responded to the blaze.
At 3:30, a call went out for additional firefighters.
Photo Courtesy of Northern Monroe Fire Territory
Schwandt says the fire was about 30 by 30 feet in size when reported, but it spread quickly.
"Fire units were unable to access the scene with utilities vehicles and had to hike approximately a mile and a half to the location with all their equipment," the release states. "Fire crews had to battle changing wind directions, which blew embers and created other spot fires in the area as well, which meant several fire lines had to be created."
Photo Courtesy of Northern Monroe Fire Territory
Several trees caught fire and had to be cut down to limit the danger of them falling or the fire spreading due to wind, according to the news release.
Schwandt says there are primitive camping sites along the trail where hikers sometimes stay overnight, and said it's possible an unattended campfire could have started the forest fire, though a cause has not been determined.
No injuries were reported.
DNR officials will continue to monitor the area through the next 24 hours.
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