Unless you’ve been living under a rock these last few days, you’ve probably heard about yet another huge brush fire that’s been ravaging the region.

Since Saturday afternoon, flames have been working their way from Packerton, where it started, through parts of Jim Thorpe and onto Franklin Township.

The blaze sometimes threatened houses, though none has been damaged thus far.

Hundreds of firefighters were attacking the fire on the ground and from the air, with vehicles, drones, helicopters and air tankers.

And they all have something they share with their common enemy.

Simply put, it’s fuel.

The fire takes on a life of its own, feeding from the dry brush and fanned by swirling winds.

Nature offers an unlimited supply, and the flames don’t hesitate to take advantage.

For this latest event, sticks, branches and dry underbrush are on the menu.

But firefighters need fuel, too.

To be sure, local residents and businesses have come forward with donations of food, water and sports drinks to sustain those on the front lines of the latest wildfire, just as they did last November when flames tore through 600 acres on Blue Mountain.

Any volunteer will admit those things go a long way as they attempt to refresh and recharge in a prolonged fire fight.

But just as important, perhaps, is that local volunteers need more conventional forms of fuel to stay ready for when a call comes.

They need to keep their trucks and pumps running in their efforts to put out any flames, wherever they might break out.

Those big vehicles need gasoline and oil to keep their engines and generators running, and hydraulic fluids to maintain ladders and other equipment.

Anyone who drives knows that stuff doesn’t come cheap.

Fire companies need fuel of another type to keep the lights on at fire stations, for insurance, for radios, for axes and other tools they might need.

Firefighters need boots, pants, coats, helmets and air tanks, among other things.

Some of the latest estimates show that it takes around $30,000 to outfit a single volunteer. That outfit needs to be replaced about every 10 years, depending on its condition.

The best fuel for those problems? Cash.

Local fire companies get that fuel in several ways.

Local governments are bound by state law to provide fire protection in their communities.

Sometimes, money comes from general fund budgets, while in other places, a special levy helps mitigate fire company costs. Often, governments are conduits for grant funds that help with equipment purchases.

Other money comes from state sources. It helps, but isn’t really enough to cover all the bills.

Around here, filling the company coffers is left to volunteers — oftentimes, friends, neighbors or family who choose to answer calls when they’re not at a job or in the middle of another obligation.

Because of manpower shortages, they often respond to calls with more than one company.

That leaves little time for fundraising.

Breakfasts, other food sales, raffles and boot drives take time and commitment and don’t do well when it comes to bottom line income, so local volunteers seek other options.

One of the easiest ways for fire companies to fuel their existence is through an annual appeal.

Normally, a fire company will do a mailing to residents and businesses in its coverage area soliciting cash donations.

It’s relatively simple and requires a minimum effort from people who often are busy with other things.

Unfortunately, these efforts traditionally have a poor response rate — many around just 40%.

Property owners often can’t make it to food sales. They may not have access to the raffle tickets, and sometimes the boot drives aren’t nearby.

It’s understandable.

But dropping a check in the mail or making a stop with some cash at the local fire station when it’s convenient isn’t a daunting task.

Though it probably would never occur, imagine what would happen if local emergency responders showed up just on just 40% of their calls.

Let’s extend that to a 40% success rate for surgeons, or other lifesaving endeavors.

Most would agree that kind of performance would be unacceptable.

To keep that from happening, consider a donation to a local fire company.

The events of the past week — and countless other calls that occur on a daily basis — are testament to the solid work of local volunteers.

Cash is the fuel that keeps their work going.

And keeps the volunteers’ efforts from going up in smoke.

ED SOCHA | tneditor@tnonline.com

Ed Socha is a retired newspaper editor with more than 40 years’ experience in community journalism.