PAUL SMITHS -- What began as a small grass fire surged into a raging forest fire Friday, consuming several acres of land owned by Paul Smith's College.

Every fire department in Franklin County was called to the Route 30 blaze as of late Friday afternoon and additional support was also brought in from Clinton, Essex and St. Lawrence counties.

Officials said the blaze was being brought into control Friday evening as a helicopter assisted the fire-fighting efforts.

Volunteers from about 18 area fire departments spent several hours battling the fire and were initially fearful the wind would keep fueling the flames and push it toward campus, which was about a mile away.

But college spokesperson Kenneth Aaron said "the campus was never in danger."

"We could see smoke but it was more of a haze than anything. The students were never in danger and the buildings were never in danger," he said Friday evening.

The campus briefly lost power, but Aaron said services were restored soon after as curious students were urged to stay away from the smoke and flames.

He was informed Friday evening that the fire was under control. Fire Chief Roger Smith said Friday night that the loss was around seven to nine acres.

"We pulled everybody out at the request of the forest rangers," he said.

They will go back in the morning to assist rangers by digging a fire line around the perimeter and checking for hot spots.

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com