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Updated 07/31/2012 05:57 PM

Smithville brush fire contained

By: Web Staff

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. -- A massive grass and brush fire in Southern Jefferson County is now under control, thanks to an even bigger effort from not only firefighters, but the whole community.

The call for a brush fire in Smithville came in early Tuesday afternoon. It soon escalated to a two to three square mile radius. Luckily, there were no buildings or houses in the area.

Firefighters from 25 different departments, including ones in Oswego and Lewis counties, responded. Crews also got help from State Police with use of a helicopter to see just how big the fire was.

Local farmers and even private contractors helped provide things like bulldozers to help clear paths.

A few hours later, the fire was contained. Departments are now working to make sure they keep it that way.

"At this point, they'll be going back out just to go through and catch the hot spots. We have dozers working to basically cut a road all the way around the fire so we can keep it contained here if it were to flare up again," said Joe Plummer of Jefferson County Fire and Emergency Management.

Officials say this fire was the largest the county has seen this year. There's no word yet on how it started.

Smithville brush fire contained