SAM’S POINT WILDFIRE SPREADS
200 firefighters battle blaze that’s consumed 800 acres
ELLENVILLE >> More personnel has been deployed to battle a spreading wildfire on Monday that has raced through Sam’s Point Preserve since Saturday and has consumed 800 acres, according to an official and the governor’s office.
Eric Humphrey, manager of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, said that the number of firefighter battling the blaze had increased by Monday to 200, adding that at times, there were 35- to 40foot flames at the scene. “We are actively working on containment,” he said. IMAGES: Fire at Sam’s Point On Monday, additional state personnel was deployed to boost fire suppression operations, according to a state-
ment from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.
“A fire line has been established around the perimeter of the fire area to aid in containment,” the statement said. “While the fire has advanced and increased in intensity, no structures have been impacted and no injuries have been reported,” according to the release.
“State officials are working closely with local officials to battle this fire and keep New Yorkers safe,” Cuomo is quoted in the statement. “We will continue to take all necessary actions to extinguish this wildfire, and I urge everyone in the area to stay clear and informed with the latest information.”
The statement said more than 70 additional state personnel was deployed to help combat the wildfire. “There are now more than 110 state emergency personnel on the scene dedicated to containing the fire,” the statement said. Four local EMS Agencies and 17 Ulster County fire departments have also been deployed, t he statement said.
The fire has not been declared under control, Humphrey said. The preserve is highest section of the Shawangunk Mountains on the southern part of Minnewaska State Park.
Lt. Corey Fox of the Cragsmoor Fire Department said that the threealarm fire originally broke out at about 2:15 p.m. Saturday, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of parkgoers.
The cause of the f ire was still under investigation, Fox said.
The state’s residential brush- burning ban remains in effect through May 14.
Since the f ire began Saturday, a state police helicopter has completed about 20 water- dropping operations and two state police helicopters continued those operations Sunday, with a third on standby for Medivac operations if needed. The two helicopters are equipped with “Bambi Buckets,” which can carry 250 gallons of water.
The Sam’s Point Preserve is mountainous and fighting fires there is difficult, the governor’s office said.
Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in the state. When temperatures are warmer and grasses and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and the lack of green vegetation. Forecasted conditions include low humidity, gusty winds and higher temperatures, which can exacerbate sparks and small flames and lead to a larger and more dangerous fire.
Critical weather conditions indicate that there may be additional brush fires throughout the state, as most of New York has been categorized as moderate to high risk for fires by the National Weather Service. Fires may start easily and could become dangerous if not extinguished while small.
In May 2015, a forest fire centered in Cragsmoor, hamlet of Wawarsing, destroyed about 2,700 acres in Ulster and Sullivan counties, officials said at the time.
Prior to 2015, the last major forest fire in Ulster County was in 2008 i n Minnewaska State Park. That fire, blamed on a discarded cigarette, burned for nearly a week and charred 3,100 acres.
To view an updated map of fire danger ratings in New York, visit: http:// www. dec. ny. gov/ lands/68329.html.
Since 2009, New York State has enforced a residential brush- burning ban for towns with fewer than 20,000 residents from March 16 through May 14, the period when most wildfires occur.
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. Since the ban was enacted, spring fires per year decreased by 33.4 percent, f rom 3,297 in 2009 to 1,649 in 2015.
To report a suspected wildfire, call 911 immediately.
Freeman staffers Paul Kirby and Ivan Lajara contributed to this report.