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Large Brush Fire Burns Behind Rittenhouse Park
By Firefighter Mark Robertson Sr.
April 23, 2015
A large brush fire behind the Rittenhouse Park section of town kept Willingboro and other local fire departments busy on the afternoon of Sunday, April 19th. Engine 1613 responded and was advised by police on location that the best access to the fire was from Sportsman's Field, which is located on Beverly-Rancocas Road. Engine 1613 arrived on the scene and found an approximately 10 yard x 15 yard brush fire burning behind the field and Rittenhouse Park. With the fire quickly spreading, Lieutenant Clark requested that two brush trucks be dispatched to the incident.
Brush trucks are typically smaller vehicles that can go off road, unlike the heavier standard firefighting apparatus. Brush trucks from Delran and Delanco responded and set a protection zone between the wooded area and the homes. Lieutenant Clark then called for an additional brush truck and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Chief of Department Burnett arrived on scene and set up a Command Post. He then requested two additional brush trucks to the scene. Brush trucks from Hainesport, Mount Laurel, and Burlington Township responded to the scene and assisted with strengthening the protection line between the wooded area and the homes.
The New Jersey State Forest Fire Service arrived on scene and started to set "back fires". Back fires are set ahead of the already burning fire. This allows the two areas of fire to meet together and help to extinguish the fire. Once this was accomplished the brush trucks that were on scene assisted with hosing down small areas of fire that remained and any smoldering areas.
As the fire was being extinguished Chief Burnett started to release the out of town brush trucks and the forestry department from the scene. All Willingboro units were clear from the scene at 4:53 pm. The crew that was on duty for the day visited the scene several times throughout the night to make sure the fire didn't flare up again. No homes or personal property was damages as a result of the fire. The fire burned approximately three acres of land behind Rittenhouse Park.
Units:
Chief 1600, Engine 1613, and Brush Truck 1617
Mutual Aid:
Delran Brush Truck 2316, Delanco Chief 1100 and Brush Truck 1116, Hainesport Brush Truck 3916, Mount Laurel Brush Truck 3616, Burlington Township Brush Truck 3038, and New Jersey State Forest Fire Service
A large area of trees burning
New Jersey Forest Fire Service personnel setting a backfire near the pool by Ruscombe Court
Burlington Township's brush trucking setting up a protection zone
More back fires being lit by New Jersey Forest Fire Service personnel
Lieutenant Clark overseeing firefighting operations near Ruscombe Court
Burlington Township and Delanco firefighters setting up a protection line behind the pool area.
Fire burning behind the pool area
A Delanco firefighter extinguishing the fire along the far edge of the fire area