Fire departments respond to wildfire

Multiple Fire/Rescue squads throughout Seneca County responded to a severe wildfire on S. CR 19 at approximately 10:55 p.m. on Monday. According to the incident report released from NBS Joint Fire District, a mutual aid request was received from Mohawk Fire and Rescue for reports of a large wildfire. All NBS Joint Fire Apparatuses answered the call in addition to 10 firefighters. Also on scene were members of Bloomville Fire, Clinton Fire and Seneca County CERT. Among those apparatuses were grass trucks, tankers and engines. Mohawk Fire and Rescue currently has three grass trucks, which are heavier vehicles designed to be able to travel off the road. "This was another of countless preventable fires we have seen in the last few weeks," said Chief Rodney Clinger of Mohawk Fire and Rescue. Clinger explained that the fire originated from something being burned on the property, likely dry leave debris or trash, causing significant damage to the land. No structures were damaged in the fire, nor any injuries sustained by firefighters. "We've had a couple days in a row where we clean up from one fire, head back to the station— and are called to the next before we're even close," added Clinger. He explained that cleaning up after a fire is a lengthy process, because "not only do you need to worry about the last scene, you need to worry about being prepared for the next." Clinger added that there is currently a burn ban in the state of Ohio from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. for the entire month of November. Clinger also touched on the fact that it is not permitted to have burn bins in the state of Ohio, according to EPA regulations. "The conditions of this time of the year with dead and dry debris on the ground make it very easy for wildfires to start. The more preventative action we take, the less tired our guys will be," said Chief Clinger.