Wildfire — Blair, Pennsylvania

2024-11-08 to 2024-11-10 · Blair, Pennsylvania

Event narrative

A wildfire developed during the afternoon of November 8, 2024 in Frankstown Township near Canoe Creek State Park in Blair County. The wildfire occurred during a stretch of unseasonably warm and dry weather along with gusty winds, and it quickly expanded in size to around 300 acres. At the fire's peak, aerial support was enlisted to battle the fire, along with firefighting crews on the ground. Winds began to decrease during the late morning hours of November 10th with scattered rain showers assisting firefighters in putting out the blaze by the late afternoon and evening hours. While attempting to put the wildfire out, three firefighters sustained minor injuries.

Wider weather episode

Abnormally dry conditions over a span of many weeks led to the most active fall fire season across central Pennsylvania, with 585 fire incidents between September and November, burning just under 2000 acres in this timeframe. The most significant wildfire developed during the afternoon of November 8, 2024 in Frankstown Township near Canoe Creek State Park in Blair County in an extended period of dry and unseasonably warm temperatures, with gusty winds. The wildfire grew rapidly to encompass 300 acres. At the fire's peak, aerial support was enlisted to battle the fire, along with firefighting crews on the ground. Winds began to decrease during the late morning hours of November 10th with scattered rain showers assisting firefighters in putting out the blaze by the late afternoon and evening hours. While attempting to put the wildfire out, three firefighters sustained minor injuries.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1216902. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.