Chopper made over 20 drops
CRAGSMOOR – Some 300 acres of the Sam’s Point Preserve are on fire as local and state first responders continue to battle the flames.
Over 40 state personnel are assisting the 80 local volunteer firefighters from 13 area departments since the wildfire began Saturday. State Police helicopters made over 20 water-drops from local ponds or lakes.
The Sam’s Point Preserve, located on the highest section of the Shawangunk Mountains, is difficult to battle due to the mountainous terrain. The Sam’s Point Preserve and Minnewaska State Park are closed because of the fire.
The state bans residential brush-burning in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents from March 16 through May 14. Some towns, primarily in and around Catskill Park and Adirondack Park are designated “fire towns,” and open burning is prohibited year-round there unless an individual or group has a written permit from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Violators of the open burning regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense.
Fire continued to rage late Sunday (photo: Orange and Rockland County Fire Facebook page)
