On April 14, the U.S. Forest Service announced that the Allegheny National Forest River Road Wildfire in Elk County was 95 percent contained and approximately 447 acres in size as of 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023.

The wildfire is located in the Marienville Ranger District of Allegheny National Forest and is burning on Forest Service and private land in the vicinity of River, Gregg Hill, and Millstone Roads. The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation.

Wildland firefighters made significant progress fighting the fire through back burning operations on Thursday.

Fire crews are continuing to mop up hot spots and strengthen firelines, especially in areas adjacent to private property.

Fire crews will remain on duty throughout the weekend to monitor the fire area if conditions warrant.

No structures have been lost and none are directly threatened. No evacuations have been ordered.

Seventeen volunteer fire departments, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Bureau of Forestry, the Game Commission, and the Forest Service worked collaboratively to suppress the River Road Wildfire.

Given the progress made in containment and current conditions, the unified command structure was disbanded Friday at 2:30 pm and command of the River Road Wildfire transitioned to the Forest Service.

For more information, visit the Allegheny National Forest River Road Wildfire webpage.

(Photo: ExploreJeffersonPa.com.)

NewsClips:

-- LehighValleyLive: Luzerne County Wildfire That Closed Turnpike Has Burned 2,513 Acres, 10% Contained

-- WITF: DCNR Warns Seasonal Wildfire Risks Are On The Rise This Spring

-- Scranton Times: Brush Fire Envelops Bell Mountain

-- MCall: Wildfire In Eastern Berks County Threatens Homes

-- Altoona Mirror: Brush Fires On The Rise In Blair County, Avoid Burning

-- TribLive: Allegheny Police Seek Information On Suspicious Series Of Wildfires In Baldwin

-- Altoona Mirror: Brush Fires On The Rise In Blair County, Avoid Burning

-- Altoona Mirror: Logan Twp. Imposes Outdoor Burning Ban

-- Williamsport Sun: Williamsport, Old Lycoming Twp. Ban Burning

-- York Dispatch: York County Issues 30-Day Countywide Burn Ban

-- Reading Eagle: Berks County Burn Ban Goes Into Effect

[Posted: April 14, 2023]

4/17/2023