MOUNTAIN TOP, PA - Around 4:30 P.M. on Wednesday, April 12th, Mountain Top area fire departments, along with DCNR state wildland officials, were called to the Crystal Lake Mountain for a reported large wildfire. The smoke could be seen from miles away.

Multiple DCNR trucks and personnel, along with multiple local fire departments with brush trucks, tankers and utv's, were called in with several other wildland crews to battle this blaze. Firefighters faced many challenges on this fire, including 25mph winds and difficult terrain trying to reach the fire which started in Mountain Top and burned all the way to the Pennsylvania turnpike.

Three single engine air tankers assisted by dropping multiple loads of fire retardent to help prevent the fire from spreading any further while a helicopter dropped loads of water on hard to reach areas with hot spots to prevent embers from being picked up and starting spot fires. The fire was finally placed under control on Sunday, April 16th, with the total acreage burned measured at 4,300.

DCNR state wildland officials are investigating the scene to determine the cause of the fire.