Local fire crews responded to at least eight fires – mostly
wildfires or brush fires – over the weekend.

One firefighter was treated at the scene of a fire in Ceres
Township; no other injuries were reported.

The McKean County Emergency Dispatch Center in Smethport
confirmed there were six wildfires across the county Sunday – the
same day there was a structure fire on Hutchins Loop Road near
Mount Jewett – as well as a rubbish fire Saturday night in
Bradford.

A wildfire at the top of the hill above Kennedy Street was
reported about 2:40 p.m. Sunday. There was fire damage to about two
acres of land owned by Cline Oil, reports indicate.

Chief Lloyd Huntoon of the Bradford Special Police said he and
his force had been called away from WalkAmerica (the March of Dimes
event held Sunday afternoon at Callahan Park) to provide traffic
control at the scene of the Kennedy Street wildfire.

About 3 p.m., firefighters could be seen just on top of the hill
spraying water on a large tree that had caught fire. A neighbor
said Mark Cline, who apparently owns the property, had just removed
oil from the area that morning, adding “It’s a good thing he
did.”

City firefighter Mike Cleveland said at the scene the fire hit a
road at the tops of the hill and “just stopped.” At that point,
firefighters were concerned the fire would come back down the hill,
he said.

Firefighters had the fire under control by 4 p.m., however.

Several other wildfires were reported in neighboring
communities, according to the county emergency dispatch center.

Earlier in the day, firefighters responded to a wildfire off
Turkey Track Road. Fire spread across approximately two acres of
wooded area about 12:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Don Fowler, fire
chief at the Lafayette Township Fire and Rescue Department.

Fowler said he couldn’t immediately say who owned the land. More
information will be available today, he added.

The Lewis Run Borough Volunteer Fire Department provided mutual
aid.

About 3:50 p.m., the Smethport Fire Department responded to a
rekindle of a wildfire off Route 59 near Ormsby in Keating
Township, reports indicate.

Fire crews were called to the “scene of this morning’s
(Sunday’s) wildfire,” according to the dispatch center. It was
unclear, however, when fire broke out at that location the first
time Sunday.

There was no further information on the Keating Township
wildfire.

Firefighters from Kane, Highland Township, Ludlow and Sheffield
fire departments rolled to a wildfire on Jo-Jo Road about 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, but there was little information available on the Kane fire
Sunday night.

A little later about 3:45 p.m., the report of a wildfire in
Liberty Township at 376 Wildwood Drive came over police radio. The
blaze started at the “Spader residence,” responders said.

The Star Hose Co. #1 (Port Allegany) Volunteer Fire Department
responded to the scene, but fire department personnel was not
immediately available at the firehall to provide more information
Sunday night.

A wildfire broke out in Ceres Township at 409 McCrea Brook Road
about 4 p.m. Sunday, according to Eldred Borough Fire Chief Bob
Windsor.

The fire at the property owned by Brad Urbatch was under control
about 6 p.m., reports indicate.

According to Cattaraugus County District Fire Coordinator Gary
Wuethrich, the fire started up on a hill and was difficult for
firefighters to get to. He said about four acres was damaged by the
blaze, and one firefighter was treated at the scene.

There were at least 70 firefighters on scene, also with
all-terrain vehicles and brush trucks.

Firefighters from Eldred Township, Shinglehouse, Otto Township,
Portville, N.Y., and Westons Mills, N.Y. responded to the scene.
Allegany, N.Y., Hinsdale, N.Y., and the Town of Olean, N.Y., fire
departments were on stand-by.