Coventry Crews Pushed to Limits Fighting Brush Fire

Firefighters from across Coventry battled a stubborn brush fire fueled by high heat, gusty winds and extremely dry conditions on Tuesday.

All of Coventry’s fire districts responded to the fire that burned along Teakwood Drive and was first reported at around 1:20 p.m.

Crews from West Warwick, West Greenwich and Scituate also responded to provide support and mutual aid coverage at Coventry fire stations depleted by the brush fire.

One firefighter from the Hopkins Hill Fire District was treated at the scene for a minor burn, according to reports.

Authorities said that about two acres burned in the fire. Nearly 50 firefighters worked to control the fire and douse hotspots after the fire was mostly under control.

Crews were at the scene for more than four hours.

The fire comes on the heels of a similar brush fire last week about 1,000 feet into the woods off Industrial Drive.

Much like Tuesday’s fire, the fire last week taxed the town’s fire services.

And both fires were made worse due to extremely dry conditions. Rhode Island has not had substantial rainfall in more than two-and-a-half weeks and temperatures have been in the 90s since Labor Day weekend.

While the sunny weather is great for extending the summer tourism season, it makes wooded areas tinderboxes ready to go up in flames.

Firefighters urge residents to be extra careful with fire, avoid outdoor burning and not throw lit cigarettes or cigars from moving cars.