The trace of rain on Sunday night did little to quench the regional drought deficit, but it did help firefighters gain headway against several brush fires still ablaze across the Hudson Valley, including a 600-acre brush fire in Ulster County and a 5,000-acre fire at Greenwood Lake on the border of Orange County that claimed the life of an 18-year-old firefighter. While there are no evacuation orders currently in place, residents are advised to adhere to burn bans, and report any active flames to 9-1-1.
Greenwood Lake fire grows to 5,000 acres
On Monday afternoon, officials said the large brush fire at Greenwood Lake in Sterling Forest State Park expanded to “2,500 acres in New York State, and 2,500 acres in New Jersey.” The fire is 20-percent contained as of Monday afternoon.
“While first responders continue to monitor the situation closely, there is currently no immediate threat to homes or individuals,” Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said on Sunday. “However, out of an abundance of caution, we advise residents near the fires to have an evacuation plan in place should the situation change.”
A dozen home owners voluntarily evacuated their homes on Sunday night, officials said during Monday’s press conference. The Red Cross has set up a temporary shelter at the Greenwood Lake Community Center, located at 51 Waterstone Road, Greenwood Lake, New York, for anyone in need of assistance.
No cause has been determined so far, but DEC officials say the origin of the fire started at the intersection of the Sterling Forest State Park’s Lake-to-Lake Trail and the West Valley Trail on the New York side of the park and spread to the New Jersey side.
“Make no mistake this is one of the worst natural disasters the Town of Warwick has seen in many, many years,” Town of Warwick Supervisor Jesse Dwyer said.
Ulster County’s Whitehouse fire 90-percent contained
As of Monday morning, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said the Whitehouse Fire, a brush fire in the Ulster County Town of Denning was 90-percent contained. Responding agencies are continuing to establish a control line around the fire and working toward full containment. Based on a flyover estimate over the weekend, the fire grew from 422 acres to approximately 600 acres. “With the help of last night’s rain, we expect significant progress toward 100-percent containment,” Metzger added.
Approximately 185 firefighters from 20 agencies in Sullivan, Ulster and Delaware counties have been involved in fire suppression efforts.
Officials are advising residents to avoid travel to the area of the Sundown forest. The following roads are closed to traffic at this time: Peekamoose Road at the Denning Town Line through Sundown Road.
18-year-old dies battling Sterling Forest Blaze
18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, a Parks and Rec aide from the New York State Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Department, was killed while battling a forest fire in Sterling Forest in Greenwood Lake over the weekend.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Vasquez’s family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/celebrate-dariel-vasquez-a-true-community-hero.
“In his final moments, Dariel was courageously battling a wildfire in Sterling Forest, sacrificing his own safety to protect his community,” the family posted. “His bravery and selflessness in those last moments were a reflection of his pure heart and unwavering commitment to others.”
Photo credit: Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team
Map of air quality alerts and active fires in the region. Link
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2025. Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 10 in. Original painting. Only one available.
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Acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 in. Original painting. Only one available.
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Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 4 in. Original painting. Only one available.
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A 5”x 8”, Handmade, copper ginkgo leaf mounted over top of a piece of burnt, shou sugi ban cedar. The copper is untreated. It will arrive with a high shine and patina with time.
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Wooden clock with laser-etched fish design and iridescent painted finish that shimmers from blue to indigo when viewed from different angles. The small wooden fish in Wanda's belly is a lively swinging pendulum. Laser-etched painted wooden clock dial. Quartz clock movement requires one AA battery, included. (16"l x 6½"w x 2"d)
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Hand-painted wooden background with a black-to-blue fade reminiscent of the sky at dusk. Face and swinging pendulum are textured stainless steel painted with subtle crescent moons. Celestial hands are textured navy blue. Quartz clock movement requires one AA battery, included. 20"l x 6"w x 2"d
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Square background of hand-painted wood with a textured stainless steel face painted with a subtle crescent moon. Raised silver dots at the quarter hours. Textured black celestial hands. Quartz clock movement requires one AA battery, included. 12"l x 12"w x 2"d
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Artist’s note: The art of botanical dyeing is so unique because each piece is different from one another. The magic of nature is that there's no way to replicate it.
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Hand dyed silk bandanas. Artist’s note: The art of botanical dyeing is so unique because each piece is different from one another. The magic of nature is that there's no way to replicate it.
21”x 21”
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Hand dyed silk bandanas. 21”x 21” Artist’s note: The art of botanical dyeing is so unique because each piece is different from one another. The magic of nature is that there's no way to replicate it.
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1:1 DTG printed garment
1 available, Size: Large
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Reproducible DTG garment
1 available, Size: Small
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Screen printed, one available. Size L/XL
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Naturally hued by wood ash and airflow, this tiny bowl measures 4.5×4.5× 1.5” and would serve perfectly as a salt bowl or trinket dish. One of a kind.
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A tall woodfired mug with warm, natural color variation and a smooth, comfortable handle. Subtle ash patterns and a small slippy drip make this piece completely one of a kind. Functional, sturdy, and made for everyday use.
16 oz capacity
One of a kind
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This one-of-a-kind handmade mug showcases delicate crystal formations and soft, natural hues developed over four days in a wood kiln. Shades of cream, pink, and warm ash settle across the surface, creating a quiet, layered palette. Subtle drips and crackle textures add depth, making this piece a one-of-a-kind example of what fire and time can create.
4 × 5.5 × 3.5”
12 oz capacity
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Custom hand-drawn graphite portraits in a variety of sizes: 5×7, 8×10, and 11×14; multiple pets per portrait available!
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Fine art print, 8.5×11
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Fine art print, 13x19
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Fine art print, 13x19
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A spooky holographic sticker for those who know how haunted the Hudson Valley is. Show off your spooky NY state pride with these weatherproof vinyl stickers that look good on anything you can stick them to. Size: 3"
Designed by: © Bee Reckless, @RecklessReads.
All rights reserved.
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Magick is within all of us! In this book, Bee Reckless focuses on ways to tap into your inner magick. Along with the magick within you, she brings spells, rituals, and more that any level of witch can benefit from by incorporating into their craft.
Featuring:
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✦ Spells & Rituals
✦ Kitchen Witch Recipes
✦ Reference Information & Cheat Sheets
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If witchcraft seems overwhelming, you’ve come to the right place. In her debut witchcraft book, Bee Reckless shares spells and tips from five-plus years of dedication to the craft that any level of witch can benefit from. So, fire up that cauldron and charge those crystals… It’s witchcraft time, baby!
Featuring:
• Witchy life-hacks
• Rituals & Spells
• Kitchen Witch Recipes
• Reference Information & Cheat Sheets
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Acrylic on canvas panel. 4×6”.
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Acrylic on canvas panel. 6×8”.
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A creative book on how to use flowers and natural elements to dye fabric and paper through a process called Tataki Zome, or leaf hammering. Local author Michelle Moore discusses all of the elements of working natural dyes from pre-treatment through mordants to the process of hammering flowers. Ships directly from the author + price includes the cost of shipping
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