An early-morning fire sent crews scrambling on Dorman Drive after witnesses reported flames burning through the wooded hillside just after 7 a.m.
Portsmouth Fire crews responded and quickly called in help from an ODNR Shawnee Forest team to tackle the brush fire, which was burning in a hard-to-reach area. With smoke and fire spreading through the woods, firefighters worked to contain the blaze before it could threaten nearby homes.
🚓 Traffic Locked Down for Safety
As firefighters went to work, Portsmouth Police were asked to block traffic at Dorman Drive and Circle Drive to keep the area clear and allow emergency crews room to operate safely.
🚁 Drone Deployed to Track the Fire
Firefighters also launched a drone to get a better view of the fire’s spread across the hillside. Police assisted by helping obtain additional drone batteries so crews could continue monitoring hot spots from above.
No injuries were reported, and crews remained on scene to ensure the fire was fully under control.
🔥 A Reminder This Time of Year
Dry winter conditions can make brush fires spread quickly—even in cold weather. Officials urge residents to report smoke or fire immediately and avoid any activity that could spark flames near wooded areas.
Thanks to fast reporting and coordinated teamwork between fire crews, ODNR, and Portsmouth Police, what could have become a much larger incident was brought under control.
