Red Flag: Fires, fires on the mountains

Oct 28

Written By HVNY

Crews from multiple departments have been battling brush fires in Dutchess, in Ulster, Rockland, and Putnam counties, and there’s not much of a chance of “decent rainfall” in the forecast (Poughkeepsie recorded its third driest month in September with just over a 0.5-inches of rain reported) until the weekend, according to local meteorologists. Add that to a combination of low humidity levels, a forest floor of freshly fallen leaves, and gusty winds, and it’s a “firefighter’s worst nightmare.”

In Ulster County, a brush fire on Hemlock Ridge expanded to over 55-acres due to the fluctuating winds this weekend. Two firefighters were injured during containment operations and treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries. There are no evacuation orders in place at the time for Town of Plattekill or Marlboro residents. The Plattekill Fire Department said while helicopters dropped over 23,000 gallons of water on the fire, they will “most likely not see air support due to the second large area fire down in Harriman State Park.”

Multiple departments were on the scene for two days at that fire atop Nordkop Mountain at Harriman State Park in Rockland County, which was mostly contained on Sunday.

In Dutchess, crews from multiple departments have been navigating “grueling terrain” to contain a brush a fire in Dover that re-ignited overnight. Crews had to wait until daybreak to traverse the area. The wildfire was initially believed to be two acres in size, but throughout the day on Sunday, the fire spread to approximately 18 acres, according to the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. Several other brush fires, including in LaGrange and in East Fishkill, were reported on Monday morning; no additional information was available at the time.

In Putnam County, the Kent Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Route 301 and East Boyds Road for a report of a fire on the mountain. Crews loctated a large brush fire of 5-6 acres at the old Sedgewood Clubhouse on Sunday. “Crews worked diligently to extinguish the fire and stop the spread, but despite their efforts, the wind speed, dry conditions and terrain caused the fire to spread to approximately seven acres,” the Kent FD said in a statement. While this fire is said to be contained, the scene is still active, and “there is no immediate risk to the local community.”

Moderate drought conditions have been reported in southern Columbia County, with “little in the way of beneficial rain expected in the next week,” according to the National Weather Service in Albany.

The region is under a high fire danger warning due to these ongoing conditions. Outdoor burning of any kind is not recommended. Especially: DO NOT BURN LEAVES. Keep vehicles off dry grass. Properly extinguish cigarettes in an ashtray, not out your car window (ever, but especially now).

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