Warminster fire officials on Friday announced the cancellation of a controlled burn training Hartsville Fire Company, and Warminster Township career firefighters due to concerns unfavorable wind conditions.
According to the National Weather Service – Mt Holly – Philadelphia there will be a east wind of 5 to 10 mph Saturday.
There is no reschedule date, officials said.
The full the release from Warminster Township Fire Services is below.
Warminster Township Fire Services have announced that the live fire training event scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the Five Ponds Golf Course clubhouse has been cancelled due to unfavorable wind conditions that will impact its residents living on Five Ponds Circle and Worthington Drive in Warminster Township.
There is no reschedule date. The fire companies have posted the cancellation notice on their social media sites.
Original Release
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The Warminster Township Fire Department, Hartsville Fire Company, and Warminster Township career firefighters will conduct a planned structural fire training at the vacated Five Ponds Clubhouse on Saturday, July 25 from approximately 8:00am to 3:00 p.m..
During this time, there will be signs up on Street Road stating, “THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY; DO NOT CALL 911. This is a fire training exercise only.”
Public viewing is available during the fire training from a safe location on the property. There will be NO vehicles permitted. Spectators must walk to the location for viewing.
“This live structural fire training at 1225 W. Street Road will be a controlled burn under the supervision of the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy,” stated Joe Velten, Director, Emergency Management & Services, Warminster Township. “The safety of our firefighters, as well as the surrounding community has been and continues to be paramount in the planning for these exercises.”
This training is conducted in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and will involve the controlled ignition and suppression of fires within the structure, according to John Mahon, Deputy Fire Chief, Warminster Fire Department. “Live fire training of this nature is an essential component of firefighter preparedness and directly contributes to the safety of our community during actual emergencies,” said Mahon. Strict guidelines within the application to conduct live fire training in an acquired structure include a PA DEP inspection, asbestos inspection and sampling, removal of refrigerants associated with HVAC, and removal of fabrics and carpeting from the structure.
The live-fire exercise has been planned to satisfy NFPA 1403 standards and prepare local firefighters. The township will use this training evolution as a way to clear the aging structure ahead of planned construction for a new clubhouse. The training exercises will include 20+ small compartment fires within the building. These training exercises will simulate bedroom fires, kitchen fires, and hotel room fires. Fire behavior, hose line management, searching, and teamwork will be the focus of the day. At the end of the training exercises, a planned large fire will commence to bring the building down. All personnel will be out and away from the building. Hose lines will be in place to protect any possible exposure issues.
- Fire and smoke will be visible at and around the clubhouse throughout the day.
- Multiple fire apparatus and emergency vehicles will be staged in the area.
- Street Road will remain open and unaffected by training operations.
- Residents of Five Ponds Circle will maintain uninterrupted access to their neighborhood throughout the duration of the event.
- Access restrictions will apply to the clubhouse and golf course grounds only.
“This training evolution is subject to favorable meteorological conditions,” said Eric Gottschall, Hartsville Fire Chief. “The fire companies will be monitoring wind direction, wind speed, relative humidity and atmosphere stability prior to and throughout the event. The burn will proceed only when wind direction, speed and atmospheric conditions are favorable to minimize or eliminate smoke from affecting adjoining residential neighborhoods.
“The Warminster Fire Services are grateful for support from the Township Manager and the Board of Supervisors,” stated Mahon. This training provides an opportunity to train firefighters in a ‘real-world heat and building’ layout. It also allows for a rare close-to-home training events for our firefighters who typically must travel to Lower Bucks County, Conshohocken, or West Chester to conduct live fire training at a fixed training facility. Should conditions be deemed ‘unsuitable,’ the event will be cancelled.”