UPDATE: Large Mulch Fire in Upper Marlboro Could Smolder for Days

Update, April 25, 6:17 p.m.: It took firefighters more than 8 hours overnight to control and finally extinguish a fire that began in a mulch pile at 2001 Ritchie-Marlboro Road in Upper Marlboro.

According to county fire spokesman Mark Brady, firefighters found a 30-foot by 100-foot pile of mulch burning when they responded to the scene around 8 p.m. Wednesday, and immediately called for backup. About 150 firefighters responded to battle the blaze.

Here's Brady's account on the Prince George's County Fire/EMS blog:

The burning mulch pile provided vivid images of intense heat and flames illuminating the night sky with a red glare.  Winds gusting up to 20 to 30 mph played a factor possibly in the ignition and certainly in the rapid spread of the fire.  Wind direction changed multiple times during the initial operations causing suppression units to move personnel and apparatus quickly to prevent injury and damage.  Repositioning delayed and extended the time required to set up a water supply.  Safety of personnel was the highest priority on this incident.

The gusty winds whipped up flying hot embers that ignited brush fires on surrounding adjacent property. Firefighters were positioned on the outer perimeters of the property to quickly respond to multiple brush fires.

Due to the rural location of the scene, fire hydrants were not as accesible, Brady said. Water tankers were called to the scene to create a nine-tanker "water shuttle" that carried water between the fire and the closest hydrant, which was two miles away.

Foam and crash units were also called to scene to cool down the surface fire and control the blaze, he added. At around 4 a.m., a majority of the fire was extinguished, but about five units remained on scene Thursday to assist in wetting down the dispersed pile of mulch. The mulch pile could continue to smolder for days, Brady added.

At this time, the fire remains under investigation.

Original Post, April 24, 10:17 p.m.: A large mulch fire has been burning in Upper Marlboro for more than two hours, even though firefighters, their backup and specialized units have responded to the scene.

According to Prince George's County fire spokesman Mark Brady, the fire—which started in a pile of mulch off Ritchie-Marlboro Road around 8 p.m.—has spread to nearby brush.

Brady tweets: "...winds are spreading embers and starting brush fires - water supply is an issue..."

Since the fire started more than two hours ago, several engine companies, foam units and more than four water tankers have been called to the scene.

Brady said more foam units have been requested from Andrews Joint Air Force Base, Fairfax County, VA and possibly also from BWI and National airports.

At this time, Brady has not reported any injuries and tweeted that no structures are in danger at this time in the area. However, Brady warns that an storm front approaching is creating wind gusts of 30 mph.

We'll update the story when more information is available.