Separate fires raged throughout Warren County on Monday afternoon.
Jeff Nordin, first assistant chief for Russell Volunteer Fire Department, said a controlled burn led to a brush fire near Conewango Avenue Extension. It started on the Kavinski property and spread to the McClain property.
Wind caused the burn to get out of control. It jumped a driveway, Nordin said, and followed a ditch line north.
Only a few small trees were damaged, Nordin said, and no structures were involved. In addition to the Russell firefighters, neighbors also helped put out the fire.
Upon the arrival of the firefighters, the fire was almost out. After they knocked down the remaining flames, Nordin said firefighters used a tank to wet down the area and minimize the chance of a restart.
Given the weather conditions, Nordin is advising people not to burn. With more wind, there is a greater likelihood of brush drying out.
"Refrain from any burning at least until there has been rain," Nordin said.
However, Nordin said, even after a light rain wind can dry out the leaves on the ground. At this point, the leaves are in thick layers which creates a greater chance of them catching fire.
According to Nordin, a wind advisory had been issued for the area. While grilling may be fine, he said any other outside fires including fire rings are not advisable at this point.
The risk of fire spreading isn't the only risk from the high winds.
In a separate incident within less an hour, North Warren volunteer firefighters responded to a report of a tree fall which got caught in power lines causing electrical arcing.
North Warren Volunteer Fire Department, Conewango Township Police and local fire police responded to the incident on Creamery Road.
Police and fire police closed the road while Penelec personnel worked on site to remove the tree safely.
An additional brush fire at 6200 Farnsworth Road, near the Farnsworth Fish Hatchery, was responded to by firefighters including members of the Clarendon and Pleasant Township VFDs at nearly the same time.
Garland volunteer firefighters were among responders for another brush fire at approximately the same time at 5790 Morrison Hill Road.
As for the cause of that blaze, Garland Assistant Chief Kelly Crull said, "As far as we know, it was somebody burning trash and the wind picked it up and blew." He said the fire burned approximately 11 acres of wooded area. Krull said no properties or structures were damaged. Along with Garland, firefighters from Tidioute, Spring Creek, Spartansburg, West Hickory, Grand Valley and Youngsville responded.
Representatives of fire department were unavailable for comment on the Farnsworth fire Monday.