Firefighters tackle Yorktown brushfire, stay on alert amidst dry conditions
Emergency crews in the Hudson Valley are on high alert following several brushfires.
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Emergency crews in the Hudson Valley are on high alert following several brushfires.
One happened Friday afternoon along the side of Saw Mill River Road by the corner of Hanover Street in Yorktown.
A man driving by says he saw the flames erupt and tried to help.
"We had a fire extinguisher in the trunk, we tried to put it out. It was almost out, then the wind picked up and it just took over in seconds and there was nothing you can do," says the Westchester County resident.
Officials on the scene say they believe the dry weather conditions, mixed with the wind, sparked the flames.
"Absolutely it's possible more popping up with the low humidity and the heavy wind conditions. Any kind of small fire in a wooded area is going to take off pretty quickly," says Assistant Chief Matt Lauria, with the Yorktown Heights Fire Department.
Firefighters were able to get it out quickly.
No one was injured.
Meanwhile in Yonkers, the fire department has its "water tender" truck on standby.
"We can bring this water tender in and it gives us 5,000 gallons of water to help get ahead of the fire and put it out," says Commissioner William Fitzpatrick, with the Yonkers Fire Department.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick says it can be a crucial tool in areas where fire hydrants aren't near, like along the parkways.
