fire

Burn barrel fire spreads to brush in downtown Amenia

Burn barrel fire spreads to brush in downtown Amenia

A large crew from the Amenia volunteer fire department responded to a fire at 5319 Route 44 in downtown Amenia on Monday, March 10 just after 2:30 p.m. The fire burned 1.5 acres and was contained by 4 p.m.

Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Amenia firefighters responded to a brush fire at 5319 Route 44 in downtown Amenia Monday at 2:34 p.m.

Trucks from the fire department and a full fire crew responded to the blaze with state troopers and rangers.

Amenia fire chief Chris Howard told the News the fire was caused by improper burning.

“There was a burn barrel, someone put a bunch of cardboard in it,” Howard said.

The fire burned an acre and a half of brush in the woods behind the Horton House Scone company.

The fire was contained and firefighters were dousing hot spots by 3:30 p.m.

Amenia fire chief Chris Howard said the fire at 5319 Route 44 was caused by “improper burning.” Dutchess County is part of a regional burn ban that includes much of Southeast New York and New York City.Photo by Nathan Miller

New York Governor Kathy Hochul instituted a regional burn ban across much of the Hudson Valley — including all of Dutchess county — that is in effect until March 16.

While the burn ban is in effect burning brush and uncontained campfires are prohibited.

The annual statewide burn ban will begin March 16 and continue until May 14.

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