Wild Winds

Dry conditions and wild winds lead to another weary day Monday for firefighters and utility crews. There was a winter-like bite in the air Monday. Peak wind gusts hit 43 mph in Olean, 38 in Bradford and 52 mph in Wellsville yesterday. It was enough to topple some tree’s, peel off some roof shingles and fan the flames of fires. Wind fueled flames consumed a house on Bear Paw Road in Portville. Several nearby towns responded to help Portville firefighters. In nearly every corner of the Twin Tiers, winds brought down tree’s and power lines and moved wildfires. There were at least a dozen calls for help during a six hour period Monday.