April 21, 2008
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES CREWS SIGNIFICANTLY SLOW MINNEWASKA FIRE
Fire Advances Just 100 Acres Today, After Consuming 2,000 Acres over the Weekend
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that with crews working through the night, state forest rangers and firefighters from various state agencies and local fire companies have made significant progress toward halting a wildfire that has raged through Minnewaska State Park in Ulster County. The fire is 80 percent contained and minor injuries have been reported.
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) rangers and firefighters have slowed the fire’s progress considerably, with the blaze gaining roughly 100 acres in the last 24 hours as compared to the 2,000-acre advance it made Saturday. This is attributable to several factors. Favorable weather conditions raised the humidity, lowered temperatures and lessened the wind’s impact. Helicopters, dumping large buckets of water directly on the fire, have been instrumental in lowering the temperature of the fire. The helicopter operations also allowed crews to stay on the fire non-stop for the first full day since the blaze began. Previously, crews had to be pulled off the fire at times because the extreme temperatures made conditions unsafe. Overnight, crews using bulldozers were able to cut a fire line in front of the fire’s projected path. Such lines are crucial to halting wildfires.
“Thankfully, weather conditions have allowed for rangers and firefighters to make a full assault on this blaze. We’re proud of the significant strides made over the weekend,” said Governor Paterson. “However, the fire is not fully contained. Even once it is contained, firefighting efforts will likely continue for several days until the blaze is fully under control.”
The fire, which has consumed 3,100 acres in the park, is considered 80 percent contained. The front of the fire is about five miles east of Cragsmoor and has generally moved southwest from where State Routes 44/55 enters the park from the north. It had grown from about 100 acres mid-Friday to 1,000 acres Friday night to 3,000 acres Saturday night.
Rangers will focus on buttressing the fire line and lighting back fires to suppress the fire. Helicopters are still supporting the efforts today. The rough topography limits motorized access to the head of the fire, blocking trucks from reaching it.
Only minor injuries have been reported by fire crews. The lone structural loss was a ranger hut inside the park. About 200 state and local personnel worked on the fire Sunday. More than 30 local and volunteer fire companies from the surrounding counties have provided tremendous support.
DEC, deploying more than one-third of its statewide ranger staff, has directed the state effort with help from the Parks Department, the state Air National Guard, the State Emergency Management Office, the Department of Transportation, State Police, the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and Ulster County Emergency Services.
Important Information for Area Residents:
- Residents should call 911 to report emergency situations.
- Concerned residents can call: (845) 255-0752 or (845) 255-0753 for information regarding the status of the fire.
- The State is urging citizens to listen to local officials and the media for further developments on this situation. Persons susceptible to breathing difficulties are also urged to stay away from the smoke or remain indoors.
- State officials are urging residents throughout the area to refrain from open burning because of the dry conditions.
- Minnewaska State Park remains closed.
- State Route 44/55 remains closed.
DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said: “There has been a tremendous cooperative effort among state agencies and local firefighters and emergency personnel to make progress against the fire. Still, the fire is not under control and we will continue to commit all resources necessary until it is.”
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash said: “As firefighters and emergency personnel continue to make progress in containing the blaze, I extend my deep appreciation to all those who continue to work so tirelessly to protect and preserve this truly wonderful state resource. I also offer my sincere thanks to the public for their patience as the park and a local main thoroughfare remain closed.”
Minnewaska State Park is situated in Ulster County just east of the Catskill Preserve, on the Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level. The terrain is rugged and rocky, blanketed by dense hardwood forest encircling two lakes.
