The Port Allegany Fire Department's busy day continued when they were dispatched at 1753hrs. to assist Austin (Potter County, Dept. 44) with a wildfire on the Nelson Run Road in Wharton Township.  Austin, Coudersport, Roulette, Emporium, Sinnemahoning, and Cross Fork Fire Departments were already en route when McKean County 911 dispatched Station 3 to assist on scene of a wildfire, reportedly involving 200 acres of forest south of Austin. 

Chief 3 (Ernst), Utility 34 (Lt. A. Johnson), Engine 33 (Chief T. Roys), and Rescue 38 (FF S. Bonawitz) all responded shortly after dispatch and were advised that a Watch Tower in Clinton County had spotted the large fire, and that the Bureau of Forestry had dispatched its own crew as well as a spotter plane and an Air Tanker for water drops.  Units from Station 3 arrived and were assigned by Command (Chief 44 - VanWhy) to begin digging a fire line along the right flank of the fire, while Engine 33 was assigned to establish water supply at the bridge on Nelson Run Road.  9 Firefighters from Port Allegany joined 4 from Roulette, 2 from Sinnemahoning and 2 from Austin to create a 6 foot hand made fire line along the entire right flank of the fire, then around the head to meet with a crew from the left flank.  While working their way up the steep hill, the Air Tanker dropped its payload of water on active fire along the right flank, just ahead of the crew.  The two opposing sides met at the head of the fire after working in the woods for better than 3 hours.  After making the long hike back out of the woods, personnel were sent to rehab to be checked by EMS and hydrate.  The last units from Station 3 made the nearly 45 minute trip home and were in quarters just before midnight.

While the Star Hose Company was operating in Wharton, Engine 21 from Smethport stood by at our station to protect the residents of our own first due.