Brush Fire On Carroll Island Threatening Eagle Population
MIDDLE RIVER, Md. (WJZ)— Baltimore County firefighters are monitoring a brush fire near C. P. Crane Power Plant on Carroll Island.
Captain Jeff Long reports the fire started around 9 a.m. Tuesday and is slowly losing fuel.
The brush fire threatens the nests of hundreds of protected birds, such as osprey and eagles that call Carroll Island home.
The island is located on the Chesapeake Bay near Middle River.
Baltimore County firefighters were initially going to let the fire burn out on its own but eventually called in helicopters to tackle the blaze from above.
Buckets were used to collect water from the bay to drop on the fire to stop its movement and protect the birds' nests.
Fire officials say they were called out three times to monitor the blaze. The biggest issue that they've been dealing with is the strong winds coming from the west. The westerly wind will eventually help push the blaze out into the bay.
From Sky Eye Chopper 13, a shed-type building can be seen burning. No other structural damage has been reported.
The exact cause of the fire has not been determined. Fire crews are continuing to monitor the fire.
