Firefighters battle 16-acre wildfire in Plattekill
Officials say dry conditions, winds and the steep terrain are issues that could make the blaze difficult to get under control and that they’re ready to issue evacuation orders, if need be.
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Firefighters from at least half a dozen departments are battling a large wildfire in Plattekill that was seen for miles.
The blaze started overnight on state park land known as the Hemlock Ridge Multiple Use Area, near Lewis Lane. According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, 16 acres are burning as of Friday afternoon.
Several nearby roads are closed during the firefighting efforts not far from homes. State police can be seen dousing heavy smoke on the mountainside with water from a helicopter. The town issued a state of emergency and burn ban due to the drought-like conditions.
“Our friends are in there. All our friends are firefighters,” says Jennifer Coddington, who lives on a horse farm nearby. “It’s a little scary, but I’ll keep watching.”
Officials say dry conditions, winds and the steep terrain are issues that could make the blaze difficult to get under control and that they’re ready to issue evacuation orders, if need be.
“I live down there and saw it coming down the road. You can see it’s pretty bad,” says resident David Rodriguez.
Residents in the Town of Newburgh might be first to see or smell smoke outside of the area, according to authorities.
Hemlock Ridge has hiking trails and is used for camping. Officials say New York state Forest Rangers, state police and at least half a dozen fire departments are on the scene from Ulster and Orange Counties are working to knock it down.
Officials say the fire could take days to get under control.
