Quick response by firefighters from Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties saved hundreds of acres of woodland and several homes as high winds fanned a stubborn forest fire along the base of the Blue Mountain Tuesday afternoon. The fire was first reported just after noon along the Appalachian Trail near the intersection of Mountain Road and state route 873. High winds were driving the flames in a south westerly direction. A high priority was saving several homes in the path of the flames. Firefighters set up along Mountain road, closing the busy roadway for several hours, bringing water to the scene in tankers. Several fire companies responded to the scene with all terrain vehicles in an effort to reach the fire in heavily wooded areas. The smoke of the forest fire could be seen for miles.