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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- A call reporting heavy smoke along Little McMahon Creek Road on Tuesday afternoon led to discovery of a blaze that had burned 4-5 acres by the time firefighters arrived.
The amount of acreage affected would be up to 10 times that large by early evening.
Cumberland Trail Fire District Assistant Chief Daniel Grady said several departments responded to assist his crew in battling the blaze. Departments with brush trucks or UTVs, including Barnesville, Bethesda, Lafferty, Wolfhurst and Smith Township, reported to the scene to help stop the flames from spreading.
"It has extended into the wood line right now," Grady said at the scene around 4:30 p.m. "Now we're just trying to contain it before it makes its way to occupied structures on the other side."
He said the cause and origin of the fire were undetermined at that point.
He said the wind was "working against us right now" as a strong breeze fanned the flames. He noted there was a hydrant nearby to tap as needed, so the Belmont County Tanker Task Force was not activated.
One complication, however, was the lay of the land.
"The terrain, it makes it very difficult," he said. "We've got guys going up hills. You've still got all your gear on. ... Right now the terrain and the weather is what's contributing mostly to its extension."
Homes, pavilions and other structures stood not far from the charred area, but Grady said he did not believe the buildings were in danger.
As of 6:40 p.m., fire crews remained at the scene, still trying to stop the spread of the flames. Grady said the Ohio Department of Natural Resources had sent employees to assist, and they planned to fell some trees throughout the burning area. Grady estimated that 30-40 acres had burned by that time, but he emphasized that was "just a guess."
The Belmont County 911 Center said the initial call reporting the fire was received at 2:43 p.m. By 6:45 p.m., the flames were out, according to dispatchers.