The Danville Fire Department was dispatched to a possible structure fire on Ida Street at 2:50 pm. E5 arrived two minutes later and advised the smoke may be on American Legion Blvd. Other apparatus responded to American Legion Blvd. and Clarksville Rd. It was then determined the fire was between those roads in a power line right-of-way. The fire was off the road and firefighters walked in to survey the fire and best access. The department's brush truck and UTV were dispatched to the scene to help get personnel and water to the fire. A five to six acre area was on fire. The Virginia Department of Forestry was requested and they responded with a bulldozer and several "hotshots" (firefighters with extra training in brush/wood/grass fires). The DFD tanker truck was also dispatched to provide a larger water source. Firefighters remained on scene for six hours. Area residents may smell smoke for the next two days.
The DFD initially responded with three engines, a ladder truck, a safety officer, and two chief officers. Additional DFD resources that responded included another engine, the brush truck, the tanker, a UTV, and several support vehicles. The DFD was assisted greatly by the Forestry Department, Danville Life Saving Crew, Danville Utilities, and AEP. The DLSC used their drone to assist in overseeing the fire from above. The cause of the fire was a broken power line. AEP was replacing the line as we cleared the scene. The Forestry Department and the DFD will be checking the area again Thursday.
Brian K. Alderson, Battalion Chief