On Monday, December 9, 2024, at 8:53 pm the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched for the “Outside Fire” in the 7000 block of Broad Neck Road. For those familiar with that area, it was at that extremely sharp curve. This section is one of the most remote, isolated areas of our first due district. One of our members who lives nearby was the first to arrive. He contacted 9-1-1 to provide an update, reporting an extremely large stack of hay bales on fire. Our Command 6 and Brush 6, already responding, was provided with this information. Additional equipment (engines and tankers) was requested.
Command 6 and Brush 6 arrived to find the situation as depicted in the accompanying photos. The incident commander requested both Maryland Forestry and Delmarva Power respond. Forestry is responsible for handling fires involving natural cover, where fire could spread to nearby forests and woods. The power company was requested as severe, radiant heat had possibly compromised the overhead utility wires.
As the fire was contained, Fire Suppression efforts were withheld pending the arrival of the Forestry representative. When Forestry arrived, a thorough assessment of the situation was completed, including a cost vs. benefit analysis of extinguishment. It was determined it would take many hours of labor, along with thousands of gallons of water to put this fire out. The collective decision was made to allow the fire to burn unmolested. As an additional measure of safety, the farmer brought a tractor and plowed a buffer around the perimeter. We then used our brush truck to thoroughly wet the natural cover outside the established perimeter. This fire is going to burn and smolder for days. There is no imminent hazard to people or the environment.
Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you believe the fire has spread outside the established perimeter.
