Crews from eight departments battle Millbrook fire on Verbank Road

Crews from eight neighboring communities battled a four acre brush fire that started at 348 Verbank Road in Millbrook Sunday, Nov. 10. The fire started as a result of a homeowner starting a fire that quickly overtook nearby fields.

Photo by Nathan Miller

Crews from eight departments battle Millbrook fire on Verbank Road

MILLBROOK — Volunteers from eight nearby departments assisted Millbrook firefighters in fighting a four acre brush fire on Verbank Road in Millbrook around noon Sunday, Nov. 10.

Volunteers representing Union Vale, Pleasant Valley, Dover, East Clinton, LaGrange, Amenia, West Clinton and Beekman assisted Millbrook volunteers in battling the blaze at 348 Verbank Road.

Millbrook Fire Chief Dominic Boscardin said a homeowner igniting a fire started the blaze that grew to four acres at its largest. At 4 p.m. responders had managed to get control of the fire and shrink it to under two acres.

Boscardin expected to be packed up by sundown.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation gave Dutchess County a high fire danger rating in late October. Towns and villages across the county, including Millbrook, have issued burn bans in response to the dangerously dry conditions. While these bans are in place it is forbidden to start a fire or do anything which could cause a fire to start. “All outdoor burning of yard waste, household paper products, bonfires, campfires, warming fires, outdoor fireplaces, chimneys, and cooking fires within said jurisdiction is prohibited,” according to Millbrook’s state of emergency declaration.

In addition to restricting outside burning, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino also issued a statement with additional fire-starters to be mindful of. Cigarette butts should be carefully extinguished. Fireplace and woodstove ashes should not be discarded on the ground or in receptacles near your house. It’s also best to avoid parking over dry leaves and monitor power equipment for sparks and hot mufflers.

Eastern Dutchess County Fire and Rescue announced Saturday, Nov. 9, that New York State Parks and Recreation Firefighter Daniel Vasquez died fighting a fire in Orange County, New York. The Greenwood Lake fire has spread to over three square miles as firefighters struggle to contain the blaze.

Latest News

Crash on Main Street blocks morning traffic
Photo by Aly Morrissey

A collision between a red Suzuki Forenza and a flatbed truck disrupted the morning commute on Main Street in Millerton on Tuesday, May 13. State Trooper Krystal Paolicelli of Troop K said the Suzuki made a wide right turn onto Route 44 from Dutchess Avenue, causing a crash at the hairpin turn. The disabled Peterbilt flatbed truck was carrying a Fontaine trailer and blocked two-way traffic. Police responded to the call at approximately 8 a.m. No injuries were reported.


Keep ReadingShow less
Check-in at Bulk Trash Day
Photo by John Coston

Mickey Stringer of of North East, left, checks in with Chris Virtuoso, volunteering on Saturday, May 12 at the Old Town Garage on South Center Street as a Climate Smart Task Force member. Stringer’s loaded pickup was part of a long line of vehicles along South Center as residents used the opportunity to dispose of air conditioners, mattresses, lumber, and other bulk items. Town Supervisor Christopher Kennan said he didn’t recall seeing such a long line of vehicles in past years.

Webutuck names top-ranked grads

Webutuck valedictorian Olivia Lopane Wickwire

Photo provided

AMENIA — Well-positioned to move into her college years, Olivia Lopane Wickwire, 17, of Millerton has earned top ranking as Valedictorian of the Webutuck High School Class of 2025. Her devotion to a well-rounded school experience began with her enrollment in Webutuck’s pre-K program.

“It means a lot being valedictorian, especially being best friends with your salutatorian,” Olivia said during an interview on Thursday, April 3. Her friend, Gissel Oros, had been named Salutatorian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Opening soon in Millerton

Greychurch on Main Street expects to begin Caffeine Academy creative classes by September.

Photo by Christine Bates

MILLERTON — The Village of Millerton is on the move.

Two weeks ago Tallow, “Real Food, Real Fast” opened in the long vacant McDonald’s, and Mad Rose Gallery expanded next door to 3-5 Main Street to a larger gallery with arts classes and community space for performances and lectures upstairs. The newly painted Greychurch is a reminder that there’s still more to come.

Keep ReadingShow less