Firefighters Make Progress Against Wildfire on New York/Massachusetts Border
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — New York officials Tuesday morning reported significant progress overnight in battling a wildfire on the Massachusetts state line, with hopes of total containment as early as tonight.
"Containment right now is about 70 percent contained," N.Y. Department of Environmental Conservation Lt. Eric Stratton said during a news conference telecast by Springfield, Mass., television station WWLP. "We do anticipate by the end of the day shift today … we should be between 90 and 100 percent contained if all goes according to plan."
Stratton and Rensselaer County (N.Y.) Director of Public Safety Jay Wilson met with the media and fielded questions about the fire, which currently affects 251 acres and has spread over the state line into Williamstown.
"We had a night crew working all night long, and they were able to do a lot of good work," Stratton said. "The [relative humidities] recovered nicely, so that decreased fire behavior.
"We reinforced some [fire] line, put in a new line. We are now at 251 acres."
Stratton explained that the strategy for battling the fire involves establishing a control line around the blaze and setting fire between the control line and the wildfire to consume fuel the wildfire would need to spread.
Stratton said that as of mid-morning Tuesday, 119 fire personnel from New York and Massachusetts were involved with the effort to extinguish the blaze.
That effort is exasperated by the fire's remote location, a factor that also has been a blessing in the sense that no homes or structures have been seen as threatened by the fire since it was discovered on Sunday.
Stratton cited the fire's location deep in the woods as the No. 1 impediment to firefighters.
"Some of the biggest challenges we're up on the hill is terrain," he said, referring to leaf litter and loose rocks that make for uncertain footing. "Access into the fire is a big challenge. Once we get to the trailhead, it's a mile, mile and a half to get in. We're expending a lot of energy to get to the fire, and then you've got to get to work."
Stratton joked that people in the forest service, "mildly enjoy the punishment of the steepness."
The Williamstown Fire Department on its Facebook page on Tuesday told residents to expect to see helicopters in the area as part of the effort to drop water on the fire.
Wilson credited a local farmer with allowing the helicopters to use the farm's pond to reload for water drops.
Wilson also praised the work of professional and volunteer fire departments from throughout the area, including Williamstown, who have been active in the effort to control the fire.
He also had a word for any detractors inclined to criticize the response to the blaze.
"I know there have been people who will say things on Facebook regarding how the operation is going," Wilson said. "This is a professional operation. DEC and the forest rangers know what they're doing, so please let them do their job.
"All I will say is if you have the time to put stuff on Facebook that's negative, local fire departments are always looking for good people. Please join and help us in the ranks and help that way."
