Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro visited Michaux State Forest on May 2 to meet with firefighters and other first responders to speak about the state’s response to the South Mountain wildfires.
Now 100% contained, according to officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the two fires burned more than 2,700 acres between them. The larger Thompson Hollow fire consumed 2,248 acres while the Hammonds Rocks fire to the north burned 470 acres.
Part of Shapiro’s visit was dedicated to speaking with firefighters at the Incident Command Center. In total, over 175 personnel from 159 fire companies across Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties responded to the call.
They were aided by Cumberland County Emergency Operations, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania State Police and state forestry officials.
Shapiro held a press conference with local reporters, emphasizing the urgent need to address Pennsylvania’s dwindling firefighter numbers. The state had around 300,000 in the 1980s, but fewer than 30,000 today. “If we don’t do something about it now, it will be a full-blown crisis,” Shapiro said.
He pointed to a proposed $35 million grant program for firefighter recruitment, retention and equipment. Standing next to Pennsylvania State Sen. Greg Rothman (PA-34), Shapiro said that supporting firefighters has always been a bipartisan priority.
“I’d like to see us go further,” Shapiro said. That might include property tax relief for volunteers and annual state-funded cancer screenings. Shapiro said that many firefighters have expressed to him that their cases may have been caught earlier if they had access to regular screenings.
In Shippensburg, the local response to the fires was swift and generous. The town’s fire department received over 1,000 cases of water, along with food and supply donations. “It’s just a reminder of how much the public supports those who go out and keep them safe,” Shapiro said.
Shapiro also spoke about the March arson attack on the governor’s residence. He recalled being rushed out of the building by state police while firefighters ran in. “There’s a profound sense of gratitude that my family and I feel.”
“We talk all the time about how firefighters rush toward danger so others can get away to safety,” Shapiro said. “In this case, it was me and my family, our children. That image will always stay with me.”
While the exact cause of the fires remain under investigation, Shapiro addressed the broader threat of climate change when asked about the increasing frequency of wildfires in Pennsylvania. “We are seeing more intense weather events,” Shapiro said. “There is no question climate change is a contributing factor.”
Shapiro was glad to say that no homes or property were lost, and only minor injuries were sustained by firefighters.
Several roads in the area remain closed until further notice, as DCNR continues to monitor the area. Those closures include parts of Thompson Hollow Road and Three Turn Road.
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