MID-HUDSON – Although the New York State ‘Burn Ban’ doesn’t go in effect until March 16, firefighters have been battling several brush fires on Monday.
Shortly after noon on Monday, Stanford firefighters responded to a brush fire at 85 Tick Toc Way for a report of five acres on fire. High winds caused the fire to rapidly spread to a structure on the parcel, requiring assistance from Pine Plains, West Clinton, Pleasant Valley, and East Clinton firefighters.
Monday afternoon has gotten progressively worse for brush fires with the City of Beacon responding to a brush fire along the railroad tracks just south of the city line. Just after 2 p.m., the Dutchess Junction Fire Department was dispatched to a brush fire at 8 Hartsook Lane. The smoke from that blaze was visible over in Orange County. The Rombout and Glenham fire departments joined Dutchess Junction to fight that fire. Fire fighters in Liberty and neighboring communities fought a brush fire in the area of Denmin Road in the Town of Liberty.
Fire departments from Eastern Orange County were called out to help battle the Breakneck Mountain brush fire. Several cars belonging to commuters parked near the maintain train stop were singed by the flames.
Firefighters were at a brush fire in Campbell Hall at 132 Purgatory Road. A large brush fire was being fought at 13 Frog Road in Chappaqua.
Another one at 2 Lake Road in Shawangunk Valley was endangering a structure, according to officials.
Several other brush fires have ignited throughout the county during the day and fire officials are asking people to use caution. Firefighters say that the gusting winds can propel a fire out of control in moments.
For more information on the upcoming burn ban, visit the NYS DEC at https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/58519.html
