Muskingum County Brush Fire Contained

The Harrison Township Fire Department says a late Sunday afternoon brush fire was brought on by an unattended burn barrel.

Local crews were called to a piece of private property just off State Route 555 in Brush Creek Township around 4:30 p.m. There were no nearby houses.

"It’s just people not thinking. They just think it’s out. Well, it’s not out. Just cause the flames are gone doesn’t mean the fire is out. There’s still coals there, and as tender as that field is, it can go up in a matter of minutes," says Fire Lieutenant Tod Elmore.

Firefighters were battling a one and half acre fire that started in the grass. A water tanker was used to put that portion out, but it spread up into the woods, and indian packs were needed.

"…which is just a backpack full of water. Guys have to carry those in on their backs, and it’s more time consuming that way," says Elmore.

It took a little more than 30 minutes before the fire was tamed.

Elmore says the fire department will submit a report to the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Those entities will decide if they want to pursue the fire as a chargeable offense or just issue a warning.