Large Wildfire Burns Near Pennsylvania's Biggest Ski Resort

Originally posted on Powder | By Matt Lorelli | Last updated Nov 6, 2024 11:07 AM ET

Blue Mountain, Pennsylvania's largest ski resort by most metrics, took to social media on November 4, 2024 to warn followers about a wildfire.

The Gap Fire, which exploded in size on Saturday, November 2 near Route 248 in Lehigh Township, is burning just four miles from the resort. The fire has burned more than 600 acres as of this morning, and was reportedly 25% contained as of Monday, November 4. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

With the fire still being miles away, Blue Mountain isn't in immediate danger, but per the resort's caption, they have been, "closely watching the fire since Friday." Blue has also offered their snowmaking pumps and water retention ponds to fill firefighter's water tanks to battle the blaze.

"We want to acknowledge the brave firefighters working on the Blue Mountain fire," writes the resort. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families as they work to put this fire out."

Multiple agencies are collaborating to contain The Gap Fire, including: the Lehigh Township Volunteer Fire Co., the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and Pennsylvania Game Commission, and Northampton County Emergency Management.

Lehigh Township Volunteer Fire Co.'s Facebook page has become a bulletin board, of sorts, for updates. According to an update on November 4, firefighters were able to stop the Gap Fire from crossing a section of the Appalachian Trail, the ever-popular hiking trail that spans from Georgia to Maine. The trail remains closed at this time.

Despite firefighter's valiant efforts to prevent the blaze from crossing the Appalachian Trail, Lehigh Township Volunteer Fire Co. warns that there are still, "many days of hard work" to secure a perimeter and eliminate hotspots.

The National Weather Service forecast for nearby Palmerton, PA doesn't favor firefighters. High temperatures are expected to reach the mid-70s over the next two days before leveling out to more seasonable temps early next week. Winds aren't expected to be too gusty, but there is little to no rain in the immediate forecast.

POWDER will continue to update this story as more information about the status of The Gap Fire, and Blue Mountain Resort, are made available.

Blue Mountain intends to open for the season on Friday, November 29, 2024. The resort has not stated if The Gap Fire will affect this targeted opening date.

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This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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