Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 20, 1994 TAG: 9403200108
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
"I've never seen some of the things done today," said Dennis Graybill, a three-year firefighter with Read Mountain fire company.
Graybill said the fire, which began at approximately 12:45 p.m., was a challenge from the start, because none of the six fire companies that responded could get their equipment close enough.
That's where the Read Mountain Swim Club's pool came in handy.
A helicopter, owned by Summit Helicopters, drew 500 gallons at a time from the pool and took it to the mountaintop. Four trips were made, dumping about 2,000 gallons of water on the flames.
But the water wasn't enough to douse the fire, because Saturday's gusty winds spread flames quickly.
So the firefighters from the Read Mountain and Hollins stations, along with four Botetourt departments and Virginia Forestry Service employees, used some creative methods.
"We carried `Indian packs,' which hold about five gallons, and hand-pumped water to the fire," Graybill said.
They also cleared a line of brush around the fire to contain it, then lit trees inside the circle to help it burn more quickly.
by CNB