Fireworks illegally set off at Seneca Rocks caused a fire that has consumed up to 10 acres so far.

Since it’s at the base of the cliff and mountainous terrain, fire crews are having difficulty dealing with it.

The fire started Saturday night when people set off fireworks illegally on the rocks. The blaze was not reported immediately to the U.S. Forest Service.

By the time Seneca Rocks Discovery Center employees discovered the blame Sunday morning, the fire got a head start.

Firefighters were working to contain the flames into Sunday afternoon.

Fireworks always is illegal on public lands.

 

The fire started just below the Seneca Rocks observation deck on the hiking trail.

The observation platform is intact.

Fire crews are hampered by the rocky and steep terrain of the mountain, including the perpendicular face of the wall that used to train U.S. military for possible action in the Baltic nations during World War II. Petons from those practices remain in the face of the wall.

There is no word on when the hiking trail will reopen to the public.