A wildfire that ignited on Saturday, April 19, 2025, in the Jim Thorpe area of Carbon County, Pennsylvania, continues to pose a significant threat as firefighting crews work tirelessly to contain the blaze. As of Monday, April 21, the fire has consumed approximately 460 acres on Bear Mountain, located along the Lehigh River.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and local fire crews have been actively battling the flames both on the ground and from the air. Wesley Robinson, a spokesperson for the DCNR, reported that the fire is dangerously close to residential areas, burning within a quarter-mile of homes on the northwestern side near Lehigh Gorge. Despite the alarming proximity, no evacuations have been ordered as of Monday morning.
"We’re on the offense here today," said Larry Bickel, a public information officer for the state incident response team, which joined the firefighting efforts on Monday. He noted that as many as 110 personnel, including firefighters from local and state agencies, are engaged in the operation. "We got some of the best people here," Bickel added, emphasizing the collaborative effort that includes assistance from firefighters as far away as Erie.
The fire was first reported around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, and its cause remains under investigation. As the flames continue to rage, firefighters are focusing their efforts on preventing the fire from spreading into nearby neighborhoods. "People need to know this. Your safety and our safety is our number one objective. The community and the first responders," Bickel explained. "Number two is to box that fire in, and number three is to make sure that we don’t have any issues with the river or contamination or anything else." Fortunately, there have been no injuries reported.
As the firefighting efforts continue, air quality in Jim Thorpe has deteriorated, with readings reaching an unhealthy index of 157 on Monday. According to data from fire.airnow.gov, when Air Quality Index (AQI) values exceed 150, it poses health risks not only to sensitive groups but to the general population as well. Residents have expressed their concerns, with local Jerry O’Neil noting, "This morning, I came out of my house and there’s a lot of smoke still, and I actually saw flames today." Another resident, Owen Novy, voiced fears about the situation, saying, "None of us in this house have anywhere to go, so it wouldn’t really be the best thing, and that is probably what is the scariest thing in the situation of the fire coming down because we don’t have anywhere to go."
In response to the fire, the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor announced the closure of the D&L Trail from Weissport north to Jim Thorpe for public safety. Additionally, county offices in Jim Thorpe were closed on Monday, as reported by Pennsylvania State Representative Doyle Heffley, who urged the public to respect the firefighters and local officials during this critical time.
Fortunately, the weather may provide some relief. The National Weather Service has forecasted a 70% chance of rain showers between 11 p.m. Monday and 2 a.m. Tuesday, which could aid firefighting efforts. However, conditions remain a concern, with relative humidity levels on Monday ranging from 35-45%, which is more favorable for limiting fire spread compared to the previous weekend. Winds are expected to be sustained at 5-10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.
As the fire continues to burn, crews are employing drones to assess the size and containment of the fire. They are also monitoring the area for hot spots and potential flare-ups, particularly with changing wind patterns. Firefighters plan to regroup on Tuesday, April 22, to strategize the next steps in fully containing the blaze.
The situation remains fluid, and local officials are committed to keeping the community informed. As the firefighting efforts persist, the residents of Jim Thorpe remain on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to this dangerous wildfire. With the collaborative efforts of local, state, and even distant firefighters, there is a concerted push to bring the situation under control and ensure the safety of the community.
