A large wildfire erupted on Neversink Mountain in Reading, Pennsylvania, late Friday night, spreading rapidly and prompting evacuation orders for nearby residents, reported NBCPhiladelhphia.
The fire, which started around 11:30 pm (local time), was visible from the iconic Reading Pagoda, with social media images showing a line of flames along the mountain. Approximately 100 homes are located in the vicinity of the blaze. Residents near South 18th and 19th Streets and Ganter Lane have been asked to evacuate to Amanda E. Stout Elementary School on South 10th Street.
The Birdsboro Office of Emergency Management warned that this could be a prolonged incident, potentially lasting over a week due to the ongoing dry conditions.
The Philadelphia region has not seen measurable rainfall for 41 days, worsening the risk of fires. Southeastern Pennsylvania has already experienced several large brush fires, leading to a burn ban and red flag warning. Officials cautioned that fires can start from nearly any source and spread rapidly due to the winds.
Firefighters have faced difficulties containing the flames due to the dry, windy conditions and challenging terrain. However, by late Saturday morning, the winds began to die down, allowing crews to make progress.
Authorities confirmed that the fire is not currently an immediate threat to homes, and evacuated residents have been allowed to return. People are still advised to stay away from the area to aid ongoing firefighting efforts.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury during the response, but no other injuries have been reported. Personnel from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are on-site, assisting local fire crews.
To support the efforts, donations and supplies are being accepted at the Plum and Franklin Fire Station in Reading.
This wildfire is part of a series of fires affecting the region. In New Jersey, state forest fire services are battling several major wildfires, particularly in South Jersey, with smoke from fires in the Palisades drifting across the Hudson River into New York City.
Residents in fire-prone areas are advised to clear away combustible materials like leaves and firewood to reduce the risk of their homes catching fire. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts to control the fire are ongoing.