Brush fire burns 15 acres on Shunpike

Millbrook fire department battles blaze

Brush fire burns 15 acres on Shunpike
A brush fire quickly spread at a private residence at 373 Shunpike on Thursday, April 14, due to dry and windy conditions, which is why the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued a burn ban on March 15, which remains in effect through May 15. The Millbrook fire department and several other local companies helped extinguish the fire, which burned more than 15 acres of woodland in the town of Washington. Photo courtesy Millbrook Engine, Hook & Ladder Co. #1

WASHINGTON — With dry brush and strong winds on Thursday afternoon, April 14, the weather conditions proved to be the perfect catalyst for a large brush fire at 373 Shunpike, a private residence where roughly 15 acres of woodlands burned in a forest fire last week.

The blaze was called in at around 2:30 p.m., according to Millbrook Engine, Hook & Ladder, Co. #1 President Matt Rochfort, who said that Dutchess County 911 was alerted by a passerby who saw smoke while driving on the Shunpike in the town of Washington, near Stanford Road.

The Millbrook fire department was called in, arriving to find that the brush fire had gotten out of control, said Rochfort. Other fire companies called in to assist included Amenia, East Clinton and West Clinton, Union Vale, Pleasant Valley and Stanford, along with Northern Dutchess Paramedics (NDP).

By 5:30 p.m., the fire was declared to be under control. Firefighters were called back on Friday afternoon, April 15, for a period when the forested area began to smolder and more smoke was reported; only the Millbrook fire department responded at that time.

Aside from the wooded area, no other property was damaged nor were there any injuries reported, said Rochfort.

There is currently a burn ban in effect in the state, which began March 15 and lasts through May 15. It was issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

“The state started the burn ban about six or seven years ago because there were so many fires during those times when people are clearing their land,” said Rochfort. “Even when there is a lot of rain, one windy day can dry the top layers off, the brush and leaves, making it easier to catch fire. By May the danger is a lot less, because the grass is greener and much less apt to catch fire.”

In addition to the local companies that assisted at the Shunpike brush fire, the Millbrook fire department also thanked the New York State Forest Rangers for their assistance at the scene in extinguishing the flames.

Rochfort asked the public to remember the fire ban remains in effect through mid-May for good reason and that all residents must adhere to the law.

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