In Bucks County, a quick-moving fire enveloped a New Britain townhouse on the 800 block of Long Meadow Drive and spread to several other homes. The two-alarm fire was under control by 2 p.m. No one was hurt.
In Delaware County, firefighters in Chadds Ford responded to a fire on the unit block of Carnation Lane, only to be met by more brush fires. Additional firefighters from Chester and Delaware Counties were called in to deal with embers falling on surrounding homes.
The State of Pennsylvania issued what Sullivan termed an unusual alert, warning of the increased likelihood of woods and brush fires due to the dry, windy weather.
State officials said lack of rain, low humidity, and the high wind gusts were creating prime fire conditions.
"The fires that normally burn themselves out are escalating," Sullivan said.
At 2:45 p.m., a brush fire was reported on Lee Road in New Hanover Township, Montgomery County. The fire was one of many reported in Upper Merion, Montgomery Township, and elsewhere in the county Monday.
"We are definitely getting a higher incidence of brush and woods fires today throughout the county," Sullivan said. "The possibility of real danger is very close."
Contact Bonnie L. Cook at 610-313-8232 or bcook@phillynews.com. Read her blog, "MontCo Memo," at www.philly.com.
