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Crime & Safety

Update: Up to 30 Acres Burned in Brush Fire

A fire broke out this morning and is still being fought in Germantown.

Update 10:15 a.m. Sunday: Montgomery County Fire & Rescue still have crews on the ground near the area of Clopper Lake on Sunday morning.

"We worked quite an extensive geographic area (on Saturday) ... A lot of the brush fire was following the power lines," Assistant Fire Chief Scott Graham said.

In total, crews estimate the fire has burned 20 to 30 acres, but they are still working to determine the exact area.

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A clubhouse for a local Trap and Ski club was burnt, as well as a garage that was attached to a house. The house was not damaged. Several agriculture buildings were also lost.

Update 11:15 p.m.: Montgomery County Fire/EMS Assistant Chief Scott Graham has reported that up to 18 acres of land were damaged in today's fire. Six units will stay on the scene overnight to monitor the situation.

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Several emergency personnel suffered minor injuries throughout the day, including burns, Graham said.

Update 6:54 p.m.: According to the Montgomery County Police Department, Riffle Ford Rd has re-opened for use of residents only.

Update 6:32 p.m.: Montgomery County Fire/EMS Assistant Chief Scott Graham has reported that the fire is under control, and that units are being demobilized due to the containment.

Update 3:00 p.m.: Riffle Ford Rd. and all side roads from MD-28 to MD-118 will be closed to traffic for at least the next two hours as emergency personnel continue battling the fire.

Original Report: Fire crews from Montgomery County, Frederick County, the Department of Natural Resources and the District of Columbia are currently fighting a large brush fire near Indian Grass Court, the origin of which is undetermined. 

At 1:15 p.m., the fire spanned eight to 15 non-contiguous acres and according to Assistant Fire Chief Scott Graham, no houses are currently in imminent danger. Graham said three or four houses had been compromised earlier, but those fires are under control. No injuries have been reported.

The fire is damaging state park land and power lines appear to be in danger. 

While firefighters have been on the scene since approximately 10 a.m., the effort to stop the blaze is being thwarted by today's strong winds.

"We're still chasing it and more units are coming in," Graham said at 12:15 p.m. "The wind isn't helping us."

Graham asked that residents only call 911 if they see visible flames, not if they just smell smoke.

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