MCFRS News Release

County Executive Leggett and Fire Chief Bowers Invite Community to Briefing on Darnestown/Germantown Brush Fire

Thursday, March 3, 2011
Quince Orchard High School Auditorium
15800 Quince Orchard Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD
7:00 p.m. 

Rockville - - - County Executive Isiah Leggett and Fire Chief Richard Bowers invite members of the community to attend a briefing on the historic brush fire that impacted the Germantown and Darnestown areas of Montgomery County on Saturday, February 19, 2011. Thursday evening’s presentation will feature an overview of fire department operations during the height of the incident as well as highlight some of the logistical challenges firefighters faced.

Over 300 fire and rescue personnel worked for hours to contain the blaze as winds spread the fire across 500 acres between Clopper and Riffleford Roads.  The high winds, with gusts in excess of 55 mph, posed challenges across the entire Metropolitan area.

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service reminds residents that the danger of brush fires typically increases during the Spring season when conditions are dry and can result in brush fires that burn and spread quickly. Residents are urged to be vigilant when using barbeques, disposing of smoking materials and to properly dispose of any leftover firewood, trash or debris around homes which can present a significant fire hazard.

 

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