A large, rapidly growing brush fire kept Croton's Bravest busy last Saturday evening.

At 5:38 PM, units were dispatched to an outside smoke condition at Croton Point Park. Upon the arrival of Car 2083 (A/C Colombo) he reported a large brush fire along the southern bay area. Within minutes, he upgraded the original assignment, bringing all five CFD companies in to the scene.

First-arriving Engine 119 put three hand lines to work, while Engine 120 began nursing them with their booster tank. Tanker 10 arrived and supplemented these units while Engine 118 stretched a line and worked the fire with these units along the southern service road. Tower Ladder 44 arrived and set up alongside the bath house near the upper camp grounds, and secured a hydrant to re-fill Tanker 10.

With all CFD units working, Command requested one Engine and one Tanker into Harmon Firehouse for coverage. This request was fulfilled by Montrose Engine 121 and Millwood Tanker 15. Prior to getting to Station #3, these units were brought in to the scene. T15 assisted units on the southern flank of the blaze, while E121 worked with TL44 on the north. The crews on the ridge used three hose lines to soak down the area and prevent any further fire spread.

To keep units available for response in Croton, a "backfill" to Station #3 was completed with Engine 97 from Ossining and Tanker 14 from Yorktown.

With the fire out and units back in service, all Croton units cleared the park around 9:00 PM. The fire required the use of over 40,000 gallons of water to extinguish and contain.

Thanks to CFD Members D. Kempter, B. Ghezelayagh & J. Munson as well as P. Cappello and T. Sheridan for the photos.