By JEFF MORRIS
A wildfire that has burned for days and now consumed some 5,000 acres in the area of Greenwood Lake on the New York/New Jersey border, spurred a call by the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services for mutual aid response from fire departments in our area Monday.
The Bedford Hills, Goldens Bridge and Katonah fire departments were among several in the county that responded.
According to Matthew Whalen, chief of the Katonah Fire Department, they received the request from the county, advising that the New York State Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan had been enacted, which is “kind of like declaring a state of emergency in a hurricane.”
“KFD immediately responded to the request and we were assigned a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift on Veterans Day,” said Whalen. “We sent a fully-staffed engine which was specifically designed to be a Class A pumper but also more targeted towards brush fires and off-roading with its four-wheel drive capability.”
Whalen said they also sent a utility truck, along with 2nd Assistant Chief John Cohen. “The crews teamed up with BHFD, GBFD and Somers FD, who were also sending trucks, and we convoyed over to the fire scene,” said Whalen. He said KFD crews spent all day working on extinguishing some of the fire and cutting a fire line to prevent the spread of fire towards the town.
That narrative was confirmed by Goldens Bridge Fire Department Chief Albert Melillo, who said his department has been battling numerous brush fires in its coverage area and as part of mutual aid in neighboring towns in northern Westchester over the past month.
“When we put the call out to our members to assemble a five-person crew, the slots were filled within minutes,” said Melillo. “Our members didn’t hesitate. We probably could’ve sent two or three crews, but we needed to maintain personnel in our fire district.”
According to GBFD, the caravan that traveled to Orange County at the crack of dawn on Monday consisted of apparatus from Bedford Hills, Briarcliff, Goldens Bridge, Katonah and Somers.
The GBFD crew that volunteered consisted of Senior Lt. of Department Doug Orlovitz; Lt. of Engine Company Saurabh Mehta; firefighters Dennis Delborgo and Alec Fisher; and probationary firefighter Joseph Archina. Like KFD, GBFD was assigned to cutting a fire line to deprive the wildfire of fuel and prevent further spreading. They cut a line that was 8- to 10-feet wide and more than 2-miles long.
“It was very labor-intensive work in unforgiving terrain,” said Mehta. “We used hand tools to cut, scrape and dig all vegetation along the line we built, and ultimately scraped the surface down to bare mineral soil. The line needed to be wide enough to prevent smoldering and burning embers from blowing across and spreading the fire.”
Mehta explained that fire lines are vital to keeping wildfire from encroaching on residential homes, although shifting winds sometimes cause the fire to jump the lines.
James McManus, GBFD 1st assistant chief, stocked the department’s Rescue 25 the night before they departed with rakes, shovels, chainsaws and other brush-related hand tools, as well as specialized forestry equipment and firefighting hose and pumps.
“Much of the terrain where our firefighting crew and the crews of our mutual aid partners were assigned was rugged, steep and difficult to access,” said McManus. “It meant that before they even started cutting lines, they had to first hike into the area carrying their gear, equipment, and water and food supplies. They also had to contend with intense smoke. But they were well-equipped and prepared for this event because of the countless hours of training that takes place year-round.” Added Mehta, “Unit cohesion and team camaraderie among all of the firefighters on scene was critical under such difficult and challenging conditions.”
“Firefighting is about family and teamwork,” noted Whalen. “When Westchester County fire departments are requested to assist another fire department regardless of where it is, we deliver. I’m proud of the teamwork and dedication of our firefighters at this challenging fire.”
Just hours earlier, from late Friday, Nov. 8, until early Saturday morning, KFD was battling a brush fire on Cantitoe Street, Katonah. According to Ex-Chief Dean Pappas, a downed power line, combined with dry conditions, resulted in a brush fire in a roughly 20 foot by 20 foot area of a shallow valley. KFD sent an engine, tanker, and utility vehicle, and BHFD assisted with a mini attack vehicle and tanker. Pappas said volunteers had to wait while NYSEG workers killed power to the downed line, then used forestry hose, inch and three quarter hose, deck guns, chainsaws and forestry rakes to knock down the fire and ensure there were no hotspots.
Drought and fire dangers loom
Due to the persistent drought and dry and windy conditions, the state issued a Red Flag warning Nov. 12, with a statewide burn ban in effect until Saturday, Nov. 30. The town of Bedford’s three fire chiefs urged residents to avoid any activities that could inadvertently ignite nearby dry leaves, brush or grasses.
Melillo also cautioned area residents to be mindful before tossing a lit cigarette from their car window, and to refrain from using outdoor fire pits and barbecue grills, and even indoor fireplaces, at least until the drought warning is lifted.
“People don’t realize that embers are emitted from a fireplace chimney, and sparks escape from a fire pit or grill — all of which can ignite surrounding vegetation, and more so in the current state of drought,” said Melillo. He urged everyone to please use caution and immediately report any smoke or fire they might see in the woods and along roadways.
Bedford’s chiefs cited specific risk areas, including any activities that could inadvertently ignite nearby dry leaves, brush or grasses — from the obvious, such as burning brush or other yard waste and setting off fireworks or sparklers outdoors, to parking vehicles on dry leaves and grass, operating tractors on tall grasses or meadows, and allowing dry debris or brush to build up on or near exterior lighting or heat sources.
“It has been extremely challenging this year because of historic weather conditions,” said Melillo. “We have seen brush fires in our northern Westchester towns lead to structure fires more than ever before, to structures like sheds and free-standing garages, and even encroaching on the siding of homes. But the response and teamwork of Goldens Bridge firefighters and our mutual aid partners has minimized damage and kept people safe.”
County residents asked to conserve water
New York City issued a drought watch that affects Westchester County water supplies. As part of the drought watch, Westchester County residents are being asked by the County Department of Environmental Facilities to practice water conservation measures. Additional notifications will be made should the drought watch escalate to a drought warning or drought emergency.
The county recommends that residents:
— Limit lawn and garden watering to early morning or evening hours to minimize evaporation.
— Check and fix leaks in plumbing, faucets and hoses.
— Run dishwashers and laundry machines only with full load.
— Avoid washing vehicles or hosing down sidewalks.
Tips for well owners
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has several tips for homeowners with wells for water.
If your water well has been impacted by drought, see the information and links below. Contact a registered water-well contractor to discuss appropriate options for your individual situation.
— Determine whether your well is dry due to the drought and not other issues. Sometimes the solution to a dry well is straightforward, like a broken valve or electrical issue. The only way to definitively tell if your well is dry is to measure the water level in the well. This task should be performed by a professional.
— Conserve water year-round to help prevent the effects of drought on your water well.
— Consider adding a water storage tank to help get through dry periods.
— Clean or redevelop your existing well.
— Deepen your existing well or drill a new well. If you drill a new well, properly decommission the old well to protect groundwater quality.By JEFF MORRIS
A wildfire that has burned for days and now consumed some 5,000 acres in the area of Greenwood Lake on the New York/New Jersey border, spurred a call by the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services for mutual aid response from fire departments in our area Monday.
The Bedford Hills, Goldens Bridge and Katonah fire departments were among several in the county that responded.
According to Matthew Whalen, chief of the Katonah Fire Department, they received the request from the county, advising that the New York State Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan had been enacted, which is “kind of like declaring a state of emergency in a hurricane.”
“KFD immediately responded to the request and we were assigned a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift on Veterans Day,” said Whalen. “We sent a fully-staffed engine which was specifically designed to be a Class A pumper but also more targeted towards brush fires and off-roading with its four-wheel drive capability.”
Whalen said they also sent a utility truck, along with 2nd Assistant Chief John Cohen. “The crews teamed up with BHFD, GBFD and Somers FD, who were also sending trucks, and we convoyed over to the fire scene,” said Whalen. He said KFD crews spent all day working on extinguishing some of the fire and cutting a fire line to prevent the spread of fire towards the town.
That narrative was confirmed by Goldens Bridge Fire Department Chief Albert Melillo, who said his department has been battling numerous brush fires in its coverage area and as part of mutual aid in neighboring towns in northern Westchester over the past month.
“When we put the call out to our members to assemble a five-person crew, the slots were filled within minutes,” said Melillo. “Our members didn’t hesitate. We probably could’ve sent two or three crews, but we needed to maintain personnel in our fire district.”
According to GBFD, the caravan that traveled to Orange County at the crack of dawn on Monday consisted of apparatus from Bedford Hills, Briarcliff, Goldens Bridge, Katonah and Somers.
The GBFD crew that volunteered consisted of Senior Lt. of Department Doug Orlovitz; Lt. of Engine Company Saurabh Mehta; firefighters Dennis Delborgo and Alec Fisher; and probationary firefighter Joseph Archina. Like KFD, GBFD was assigned to cutting a fire line to deprive the wildfire of fuel and prevent further spreading. They cut a line that was 8- to 10-feet wide and more than 2-miles long.
“It was very labor-intensive work in unforgiving terrain,” said Mehta. “We used hand tools to cut, scrape and dig all vegetation along the line we built, and ultimately scraped the surface down to bare mineral soil. The line needed to be wide enough to prevent smoldering and burning embers from blowing across and spreading the fire.”
Mehta explained that fire lines are vital to keeping wildfire from encroaching on residential homes, although shifting winds sometimes cause the fire to jump the lines.
James McManus, GBFD 1st assistant chief, stocked the department’s Rescue 25 the night before they departed with rakes, shovels, chainsaws and other brush-related hand tools, as well as specialized forestry equipment and firefighting hose and pumps.
“Much of the terrain where our firefighting crew and the crews of our mutual aid partners were assigned was rugged, steep and difficult to access,” said McManus. “It meant that before they even started cutting lines, they had to first hike into the area carrying their gear, equipment, and water and food supplies. They also had to contend with intense smoke. But they were well-equipped and prepared for this event because of the countless hours of training that takes place year-round.” Added Mehta, “Unit cohesion and team camaraderie among all of the firefighters on scene was critical under such difficult and challenging conditions.”
“Firefighting is about family and teamwork,” noted Whalen. “When Westchester County fire departments are requested to assist another fire department regardless of where it is, we deliver. I’m proud of the teamwork and dedication of our firefighters at this challenging fire.”
Just hours earlier, from late Friday, Nov. 8, until early Saturday morning, KFD was battling a brush fire on Cantitoe Street, Katonah. According to Ex-Chief Dean Pappas, a downed power line, combined with dry conditions, resulted in a brush fire in a roughly 20 foot by 20 foot area of a shallow valley. KFD sent an engine, tanker, and utility vehicle, and BHFD assisted with a mini attack vehicle and tanker. Pappas said volunteers had to wait while NYSEG workers killed power to the downed line, then used forestry hose, inch and three quarter hose, deck guns, chainsaws and forestry rakes to knock down the fire and ensure there were no hotspots.
Drought and fire dangers loom
Due to the persistent drought and dry and windy conditions, the state issued a Red Flag warning Nov. 12, with a statewide burn ban in effect until Saturday, Nov. 30. The town of Bedford’s three fire chiefs urged residents to avoid any activities that could inadvertently ignite nearby dry leaves, brush or grasses.
Melillo also cautioned area residents to be mindful before tossing a lit cigarette from their car window, and to refrain from using outdoor fire pits and barbecue grills, and even indoor fireplaces, at least until the drought warning is lifted.
“People don’t realize that embers are emitted from a fireplace chimney, and sparks escape from a fire pit or grill — all of which can ignite surrounding vegetation, and more so in the current state of drought,” said Melillo. He urged everyone to please use caution and immediately report any smoke or fire they might see in the woods and along roadways.
Bedford’s chiefs cited specific risk areas, including any activities that could inadvertently ignite nearby dry leaves, brush or grasses — from the obvious, such as burning brush or other yard waste and setting off fireworks or sparklers outdoors, to parking vehicles on dry leaves and grass, operating tractors on tall grasses or meadows, and allowing dry debris or brush to build up on or near exterior lighting or heat sources.
“It has been extremely challenging this year because of historic weather conditions,” said Melillo. “We have seen brush fires in our northern Westchester towns lead to structure fires more than ever before, to structures like sheds and free-standing garages, and even encroaching on the siding of homes. But the response and teamwork of Goldens Bridge firefighters and our mutual aid partners has minimized damage and kept people safe.”
County residents asked to conserve water
New York City issued a drought watch that affects Westchester County water supplies. As part of the drought watch, Westchester County residents are being asked by the County Department of Environmental Facilities to practice water conservation measures. Additional notifications will be made should the drought watch escalate to a drought warning or drought emergency.
The county recommends that residents:
— Limit lawn and garden watering to early morning or evening hours to minimize evaporation.
— Check and fix leaks in plumbing, faucets and hoses.
— Run dishwashers and laundry machines only with full load.
— Avoid washing vehicles or hosing down sidewalks.
Tips for well owners
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has several tips for homeowners with wells for water.
If your water well has been impacted by drought, see the information and links below. Contact a registered water-well contractor to discuss appropriate options for your individual situation.
— Determine whether your well is dry due to the drought and not other issues. Sometimes the solution to a dry well is straightforward, like a broken valve or electrical issue. The only way to definitively tell if your well is dry is to measure the water level in the well. This task should be performed by a professional.
— Conserve water year-round to help prevent the effects of drought on your water well.
— Consider adding a water storage tank to help get through dry periods.
— Clean or redevelop your existing well.
— Deepen your existing well or drill a new well. If you drill a new well, properly decommission the old well to protect groundwater quality.