PPL Substation Sparks Brush Fire at Applebutter Rd

Four area fire departments are battling a brush fire in the hillside north of Applebutter Road that was sparked by a PPL substation, Bethlehem police said.

There are no city homes in danger, however, Bethlehem police have Tweeted that some homes in Lower Saucon Township may be in the path of the fire.

Applebutter Road is currently closed between Shimersville and Ringhoffer Roads, police said. Firefighters have made progress in knocking down the hillside brush fire, but their efforts are being hampered by a live electrical wire, said Bethlehem Police Commissioner Jason Schiffer.

While PPL has cut power to the line, it is not grounded, Schiffer said.

The fire was reported at the Applebutter Road substation at about 2:30 p.m.

At least four fire departments have responded to the scene, including Bethlehem, , and , according to the city police Twitter page.

This is a particularly dangerous time for brush fires, as the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for this area through 8 p.m. Red Flag Warnings are issued when dry and windy conditions combine to make the conditions ripe for the rapid spread of wildfires.