On Sunday, July 26th 2020, at 1254 hours, Potsdam Fire was dispatched to the vicinity of 1769 Morley Potsdam Road for a smoke investigation. The caller stated they could see smoke but were unsure what was burning. At 1258 hours, Engine 80 (J. Keleher) responded followed shortly by Rescue 14 (J. Mason) and Rescue 30 (J. Corbett). County Car 10 (R. Pierce) responded and arrived on scene.
On scene, firefighters found a wildland fire off the roadway, deep into the wooded area. Firefighters took an off road path from the Morley Potsdam Road that led into the woods to access the fire.
At 1316 hours, Potsdam Fire requested for additional manpower to respond to the scene. Past Chief Jim Mason assumed incident command and requested Parishville Fire and Canton Fire with their UTV's and West Potsdam Fire with manpower to the scene. Hannawa Falls Fire was requested for their brush truck. Brasher-Winthrop Fire was requested to the scene for their ATV and manpower. Colton Fire was requested for their mini pumper and Hopkinton-Fort Jackson Fire was requested for ATV and engine. West Stockholm Fire and Norfolk Fire were requested to the scene with brush truck. North Lawrence Fire was also requested to the scene with brush truck and ATV.
Firefighting personnel were able to access the fire off of the Smith Road and also the Flat Rock Road which made it easier for getting trucks and man power to the fire. Firefighters worked to extinguish active fire and hot spots. The location of the fire made it difficult to have a strong water supply. Portable pumps were used at a pond that was found to feed hose lines and tankers were used to fill mini pumpers with water.
Additionally, Norwood Fire and Madrid Fire were requested to the scene off the Smith Road for tankers. Pyrites Fire responded with ATV and brush truck to the scene. Canton Rescue, Potsdam Rescue, and Madrid Rescue provided rehab for firefighters. Firefighters shut down the Morley Potsdam Road at 5 Corners to Route 11 and provided traffic control. Firefighters worked with DEC personnel to work around the perimeter and stop the spread of the fire which was successful.
Canton Fire, and Rescue Parishville Fire, Colton Fire, Morley Fire, Pyrites Fire, Norfolk Fire, Norwood Fire, West Potsdam Fire, Hopkinton-Ft Jackson Fire, North Lawrence Fire, Madrid Fire, West Stockholm Fire, Brasher Winthrop Fire, Hannawa Falls Fire, Potsdam Rescue, Madrid Rescue, NYS DEC Forest Rangers
