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Dry weather in Hudson Valley results in large brush fires. How to keep your home safe [1]
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Date: 2024-10-28
A brush fire in Dutchess County reignited Monday morning after firefighters battled several major fires in the Lower Hudson region over the weekend.
The J.H. Ketcham Fire Department responded to the scene of the fire on a mountain off Old Pawling Road in Dover at around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. In a Facebook post, the department said firefighters had to wait until sunrise to begin putting out the flames because of the dangerous terrain of the mountain.
By 7:30 a.m., several other departments from Putnam, Dutchess and Litchfield County, Conn., as well as New York State Department of Conservation rangers were on the scene to control the growing blaze, which had spread to around 18 acres. New York State Police choppers also responded with water drops.
Firefighters spent nearly 18 hours at the scene of the fire before it was successfully knocked down at around 9 p.m. Sunday.
They returned to the scene around 7:15 a.m. Monday after the fire reignited on the mountain to yet again fight the flames, which had engulfed over 25 acres of land by 11 a.m. By noon, Dutchess County Fire and Emergency Services said the fire was about 75% contained.
Officials say the fire was likely caused by remains of a campfire from Saturday evening.
Hudson Valley, Connecticut see multiple wildfires
Firefighters in Rockland and Putnam counties were also on the scene of other fires in the region Saturday and Sunday, including a two-day fire on Nordkop Mountain at Harriman State Park in Hillburn and a minor brush fire in the town of Kent in Putnam County.
Parts of Connecticut were also affected by smoke from the Dover and Kent fires in Dutchess and Putnam. Connecticut governor Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency Friday after nine brush fires were documented across the state, including one in Berlin that burned for over five days.
Dutchess County Fire and Safety says there is no threat to the public or property at this time and the Lower Hudson Valley is no longer under a red flag warning. However, the region is currently under a high fire danger rating from the New York State Department of Conservation.
Putnam County implemented a temporary outdoor burn ban starting Monday at 5 p.m. following the containment of the brush fire in Kent. It is unclear when the ban will be lifted.
What conditions raise risk of wildfires?
According to the National Weather Service, Westchester and Rockland counties have not seen rain since Oct. 7, one of the longest streaks of dry weather in Lower Hudson Valley history. Monday, Oct. 7, only saw 0.03 inches of rain, while the area typically sees at least three to four inches of rain during the month.
Meteorologist Bill Goodman said the cold, dry and windy weather is a major threat to already dry brush and trees around the area.
"There's a combination of relative humidity and wind, as well as 'dry fuels' like pine needles and dry grass that can lead to the rapid growth and spread of any wildfire," Goodman said.
Goodman said wildfires are not expected to start for the rest of the week as the humidity percentage goes up to around 35 to 45%, which he said is somewhat dry, but wind will not be a major factor. Goodman said there is even a slight chance of showers Friday.
Counties in Rockland, Westchester and Putnam are not currently under any burn bans, but Goodman said any outdoor burnings should be closely monitored.
"There are still some concerns but the risk will be significantly lower," he said. "It's probably a good idea to avoid any outdoor burning and extinguish anything like cigarettes or fireplace embers. Don't just throw them out of the window of your car or into the brush, where they could ignite."
How to keep your home safe from wildfires
While weather conditions are expected to get less dry as November rolls in, the threat of brush fires remains a concern for fire safety officials throughout the state.
The New York State Department of Conservation says 95% of major wildfires in the state between 1993-2017 were caused by human activity. Lightning caused the other 5%.
Thirty-three percent of wildfires during that period were caused by accidentally or intentionally burning debris, 16% were started by leaving campfire embers unattended while 25% were started by embers from burning cigarettes or construction equipment.
The NYSDEC offers these tips to prevent wildfires from spreading and to protect your home from damage:
Use fire-resistant materials roofing or exterior wall materials when renovating or building a home.
Construct fences of non-flammable materials and make sure it is not attached directly to your home.
Remove branches, leaves and twigs from overhangs and gutters.
Keep everything within 30 feet of your home "lean, clean and green." Keep lawns well irrigated and free from vegetation, debris and clutter.
Mow your lawn and dispose of raked leaves regularly. Keep firewood 30 feet away from your home during fire season.
Store all flammable materials like gas tanks, paints and sprays in your garage or basement, not under porches or decks.
Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.
Make an evacuation plan for your household in case of an emergency.
To report a forest fire, call 911. Visit fema.gov to submit a claim for disaster assistance or to find disaster recovery centers.
This story was updated to add new information.
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[1] Url:
https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/putnam/2024/10/28/hudson-valley-ny-wildfires-how-to-keep-your-home-safe/75889832007/
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