| At approximately 3:23 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, the Melfa Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company was dispatched to a reported brush fire in the 27000 block of Pungoteague Road, near a vacant home in Painter. Initial reports indicated grass burning in the front yard, with the fire posing a potential threat to the nearby structure.
Melfa units Brush 10 and Tanker 108 responded to the scene, along with mutual aid from SERV-12 and Tanker 12-7 out of Painter. Deputy Chief Randy Green of Melfa VFR served as incident commander.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the remnants of a burn pile actively burning, with flames spreading through dry grass in the yard. Crews from Brush 10 and SERV-12 quickly deployed booster reels to contain the blaze. Thanks to their swift and coordinated response, firefighters were able to prevent any damage to the vacant home.
Crews remained on scene for approximately 30 minutes to ensure full extinguishment and monitor for hot spots.
Melfa Volunteer Fire and Rescue would like to remind residents that even small outdoor burns can become dangerous in dry conditions. Always check local burning regulations and never leave burn piles unattended.
Fire Safety Tip: Avoid outdoor burning on windy or dry days, and always keep a water source nearby in case of emergencies.
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