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ROCHESTER - Tinder dry conditions, high winds and low humidity helped fan the flames of two Rochester brush fires on Monday, including one along Four Rod Road that charred about 600 square feet of hilly, rough terrain not far from Baxter Lake.
The largest of the two brush fires was called in a little before noon, and firefighters arrived to find a lot of smoke in hilly, rough terrain leading them to strike a box to call in off-duty and call firefighters as well as mutual aid to help battle the blaze.
According to Assistant Rochester Fire Chief Mark Dupuis, the fire began deep in the woods and moved up and down a hill to within about 75 feet of Four Rod Road in the vicinity of Sampson Road.
Dupuis said battling the blaze was problematic as at the outset they were only able to reach one flank of the flames with hoses and water, but by 1:30 p.m. it was doused and firefighters were able to clear the scene.
Meanwhile, a second brush fire flared a little after 3 p.m. in an area behind Holy Rosary Church at 189 North Main Street.
Again, a box was struck to summon off-duty and call personnel, and crews were able to get the 100-foot by 150-foot burn area under control around 4:30 p.m.
Dupuis said high winds made difficult the battling of the Holy Rosary fire, which swept through a yard waste disposal area behind the church.
Meanwhile, Lebanon and Milton have been spared from any brush fires thus far.
Dupuis said the dry conditions are fairly typical this time of year, and one saving grace is usually it's only the surface that's dry, so burns don't usually continue underground which they can later in the summer.
At the same time, he said the wind, low humidity and the dry, deadwood on the ground is putting the brush fire danger at extremely high levels.
Today is a Class 4 Class 4 Day, with a Red Flag warning in effect from noon to 8 p.m., and tomorrow is expected to be the same.
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