Community Corner
Somers, Stafford Firefighters Helping Combat Difficult Brush Fire
A brush fire burning into the ground in neighboring Hampden, MA has prompted helicopters to obtain water from a lake in Somers.
HAMPDEN, MA — A difficult brush fire on Minnechaug Mountain in western Massachusetts has been burning since Saturday, with Connecticut fire departments from Somers, West Stafford and Stafford assisting. Early Monday afternoon, Blackhawk helicopters from the National Guard were called in to collect water from Hurd's Lake in Somers, adjacent to Camp Aya-Po.
The unusual fire, reported shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday, has been difficult to contain because it is burning deep into the ground instead of outward. After initial containment, crews from six area departments worked another 12 hours Sunday continuing to work on total extinguishment, according to the Hampden Fire Department.
"Steep terrain, dry conditions and winds are making the fire extremely stubborn," according to the Hampden department's Facebook page.
Find out what's happening in Ellington-Somersfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Somers Residents: If you see helicopters flying around the camp Aya-po area,Hamden Mass had a hard to reach brush fire...
Posted by Somers Firefighters Iaff on Monday, September 21, 2020
Minnechaug Mountain Fire Update The National Guard Blackhawk has arrived with aerial water drops to assist with extinguishment. Avoid the area and no personal drone use at this time.
Posted by Hampden Fire Department on Monday, September 21, 2020
Fire personal are on scene of an active brush fire atop of Minnechaug Mountain.
Posted by Hampden Fire Department on Saturday, September 19, 2020
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