Smoke, multiple brush fires affect region

Nov 11

Written By HVNY

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