BURRILLVILLE – A brush fire that began when embers escaped a fire pit Wednesday afternoon burned down four acres of land before it was finally extinguished.
Burrillville Fire Departments were reportedly called to the blaze behind 435 West Road in Harrisville just after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12. Mutual aid from neighboring departments was called in for station coverage, as well as to the scene.
Harrisville Chief Michael Gingell said that firefighters were able to control the blaze in about an hour, but not before four acres of brush had burned.
“The forests are dry as we have had less rainfall than normal, and the recent winds dry the top of the brush increasing the fire danger,” Gingell explained.
Gingell noted that the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Forestry division also sent a support unit to the fire. No injuries were reported.
Residents are reminded that a statewide burn ban issued in March remains in effect through May 15.
The chief noted that the date was chosen because as spring foliage comes in, there’s more shade and moisture protecting such forested areas, making a brush fire less likely.
The cause of Wednesday’s fire was deemed accidental.
According to town property records, the five acre lot on West Road is owned by James and Sharleen Rainville.
