Blue Mountain wildfire November 2024

[@dennis78382]

Good morning Jamie. You mentioned that you guys need rain yet it's still greener than where I'm at in Texas. I guess it's all relative. Those photographs are frightening. I hope you guys get some rain. Hopefully no structures have been affected yet since he shot this footageI'm sorry to hear you're having some trouble. You're always in my prayers. Nice to see a video from you!

[@TheShortlinefoamer]

I heard about this news, jamie. Its pretty sad that nature is catching in flames, just shows how much we need rain! Great coverage of the fire though. Scott

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Scott! It was shocking to see the fire, but so glad they got it under control without loss of life or structures. Glad we're getting some rain now though, and hopefully we get back to a normal weather pattern soon.

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

Saw that the day after it started on my way to Lehighton. Couldn't believe my eyes...

[@JamieMakin]

It was crazy to see it, especially how far and fast it spread.

[@bekleidungu.ausrustung7068]

This was a great video of the wildfire there. You were very imformative, Kudos Jaime. I live in So Cal . I've grown to be very familiar with wildfires. High wind, high temperatures and low humidity really can push these fires long distances. Glad this one was contained rather quickly 😄😁😆

[@paulsmith5398]

Better coverage than the 6 p.m. National News! Just like the guy in Michigan that covers fender-benders between cars & trains!

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Paul! I was actually very disappointed in how little coverage the local news had of it.

[@paulsmith5398]

@@JamieMakin the passenger car i was referring to was at the new campus in Nesquehoning, awaiting the shop to be finished so it can be repaired and put in service.

[@bigjohnrailproductions8370]

Sorry you hear that Jamie. Was up on R&N back in October 20th for the F unit. I'm glad I got all the shot I need for the fall foliage. Went to Bucks County for NHRR for 40 running the fall foliage the weekend after. I had a great time. Some brush fires in Morris last week. The week or day before Mercer had a brush fire near CSX line. Another one out by Ocean County near Six Flags. Lastly hope you enjoy your vacation. Should be heading back out to PA for CNJ 113 next month.

[@thomaswellington7860]

We haven't been invited over to that fire yet. It kinda reminds me of the fire that was on the otherside of the Gap almost 10 years ago. I was at that one. I was over at Nesquehoning yesterday (Nov. 6th) for an interview.

[@JamieMakin]

Cool about your interview in Nesquehoning, and word yet on how it went? Someone at work mentioned the previous fire on the other side of the Gap, but I don't remember that one (might have happened before I moved here).

[@thomaswellington7860]

@JamieMakin No I unfortunately didn't get the job. I'm probably going back to truck driving just to make a better living.

[@marilynscull4585]

Awesome video Jamie

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Marilyn!

[@1940limited]

Another great video, Jamie. Sorry about the fire. Hope it doesn't case any destruction of property or injuries. I presume 2102 will be in the engine house for a while. Wouldn't want any sparks to fly out of the stack and start a fire.

[@mkissin493]

I was on AT there recenty...Lehigh Gap to Wind Gap. This was bound to happen with how dry it's been.

[@marysalmon2367]

The fire started on the Appalachian trail at the top in a rocky area known to hikers as spiny ridge. It was small when I first saw it but accessibility was a major challenge. I was hiking on the road that travels the ridge and parallels the AT the day before the fire. Nothing but fire tinder everywhere, a carpet of dry pine needles. There is construction going on up there near the power lines tower, road building with heavy equipment. That did not start the fire, at least 2.5 miles away, one mile up the trail if you are coming in from Smith Gap. But I wonder if they will hold on that until we get rain.

[@oleggorky906]

Was it a deliberate arson attack , or just a lightning strike? Sometimes in the UK we get them also; often on heathland or moorland in dry years. Some people are stupid and have barbecues where they shouldn’t, others carelessly discard cigarettes. And, just a tiny few, are evil and deliberately start fires 🔥 for the thrill of watching people put them out. Hey, it happens. And sometimes, a dry electrical storm can do it. Or even the hot sun magnified by a piece of broken glass. Sometimes you’ve just got to be glad for the rain, eh? Best of luck to the people putting it out from the UK 🇬🇧. I also hope that you get a good rainstorm and then some cooler temperatures with snow after to help put it out; definitely with the heavy rain first, or the snow might hide a ‘zombie fire’ that bursts out again next spring, and no one wants that.

[@BeeLineEast]

Tomorrow could be rough. I know here in central Pa.there is a Red Flag warning for tomorrow. So hopefully they get a good hand on the fire. Nice informative video.

[@JamieMakin]

Thankfully they fully contained the fire the day after I filmed the video. And I hope with this rain we're getting now the threat of fire will be greatly diminished.

[@BeeLineEast]

@@JamieMakin Yes this rain will definitely help. Still very dry I think as far as the water table is concerned.

[@nickolasmarkey3560]

They sent a cat D10 dozer to do a fire brake meaning getting rid of the fuel source. (knocking down brush) only problem is the fire went underground into the old tree roots that are hollowed out. Then the heat from underground ignites the brush on top and produces a ton of smoke. 35 fire departments responding.

[@rosewetzel8284]

I know I saw that in person and I got a highly detailed picture of it

[@Mathew15871]

I live in Lehigh township

[@1940limited]

We need rain badly in Monroe County. I've never seen the creeks so low in over 70 years. Two near where we live are 6 feet in on either side from their normal water line.

[@CaptainRon542]

I hear ya I live in Pocono Township reduce water consumption protect your well

[@rosewetzel8284]

We need to pray that God blesses us with a Tropical Storm or Depression in order to get rid of this dryness

[@JamieMakin]

It has been crazy seeing the Lehigh River super low, lower than I've ever seen. I know the rain we're getting this week won't end the drought, but hopefully it gets us back to a normal weather pattern that can start improving things again.

[@1940limited]

@@rosewetzel8284 The storm we're having now doesn't seem as if it will do the trick.

[@rosewetzel8284]

@ Oh really?

[@nomadsempirebuilder9461]

🤘🤘🤘😎

[@bobwhitebread1887]

Is that near the tunnel ?

[@jeffreyhusack2400]

It was east of it I think on the opposite side of Blue Mountain Ski Resort

[@JamieMakin]

It's a few miles east of the tunnel, but in the same general area.

[@JamieMakin]

East of it but on the same side as the ski resort.

[@DanielUnger-gn9ct]

How far is the fire from Bethlehem Pennsylvania I used ta live in Bethlehem Pennsylvania my brother still lives in Bethlehem n my younger sister lives in Pennsylvania but not sure what part she's living with her boyfriend

[@davidmilne9738]

about a half hour from Bethlehem. North of the Lehigh Valley mall

[@DanielUnger-gn9ct]

@davidmilne9738 I pray n hope they get it under control before it hits Bethlehem

[@davidmilne9738]

@@DanielUnger-gn9ct We've had light rain since Sunday, that will help the firefighters get it under control. The fire will not affect the city but some friends who live north of Whitehall were concerned about their homes.

[@JamieMakin]

Had the wind been blowing a different direction several days into the fire I think a lot of homes would have been threatened, but luckily things worked out and no structures burned.

[@DanielUnger-gn9ct]

@JamieMakin that's good glad the wind didn't change n the houses was spared safe n ok

[@CaptainRon542]

theres not many trees on the Palmerton side of the mountain due to the zinc contamination

[@JamieMakin]

Very true, and I'm guessing it wouldn't have burned as intensively had it crossed the top of the mountain.

[@jeffreyhusack2400]

Most likely started by some idiot burning something or throwing a cigarette out with no regards to how dry it's been

[@JamieMakin]

That's my guess too, makes me so mad that some people are so careless. Thankfully we're getting some meaningful rain this week, not enough to end the drought but hopefully enough to lower the danger level.