DEC, Local Departments Battle 3 Wildfires In Orange, Putnam, Rockland

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Firefighters and forest rangers were called to fight three recent wildfires in state parks in Orange, Rockland and Putnam counties.

The first two were called in 20 minutes apart in Harriman State Park on Aug. 8; the first at 4:25 p.m. in the town of Highlands and the second at 4:47 p.m. in the town of Haverstraw.

Fire departments from State Parks, Stony Point, West Point, and Fort Montgomery helped park rangers get the 6-acre fire in Highland under control.Called to the 2.6-acre Rockland County fire were volunteers from Thiells, Tallman, Hillcrest, Hillburn, Sloatsburg, Stony Point, Pearl River, Blauvelt, Congers and Monsey. On Aug. 10, both fires were put in patrol status.

The fire in Putnam County took place in Fahnstock State Park on Aug. 10.

The fire in Fahnstock began as an unextinguished campfire that burned into the ground, rangers said. It was brought under control by state parks staff, the ranger who found it and firefighters from Putnam Valley.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reminds campers to never leave a campfire unattended; even a small breeze could cause the fire to spread quickly. When finished, campers are advised to drown the fire with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks as there may be burning embers underneath.

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