At 4:55 p.m. on March 9, the Whitesville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reported smoke condition in the Paynesville Hill area. Units W50, W2, and W6 arrived, along with 11 additional firefighters.

Mutual aid was provided by the Wellsville NY Volunteer Fire Department, Willing Volunteer Hose Company No. 1, Genesee Township Volunteer Fire / EMS Department Station 37, Independence Emergency Squad, Independence Police Department, a New York State Forest Ranger, and members of the Whitesville Ladies Auxiliary.

Crews worked together to put out a brush fire that had scorched around 3.7 acres before being brought under control. Firefighters coordinated suppression efforts while defending surrounding woodland areas in the rural terrain. Officials also reminded residents that New York State's annual burn prohibition, which runs from March 16th to May 14th, reduces the risk of spring wildfires.