Forest Fire in the Gunks?

[mountainmeijin]

While working today, I noticed an enormous pillar of grayish-white smoke which looked to be rising from the ridge a bit south of the pass where Rt. 44 crosses. It was rising thousands of feet above the ridge before turning and drifting in the wind.

The smoke has remained all day, and an enormous, long streak of white is now drifting across the sky to the southeast from the ridge.

I can't think of anything else that would put out so much smoke. Anyone else noticed this?

[Rockledge]

Daily Freeman reported a forest fire there yesterday. 44/55 was supposedly closed for a while.

[mountainmeijin]

Still burning pretty good, then.

Let's hope for those thunderstorms on Sunday/Monday.

I was out on my bike today and noticed it from the Res.. It looked quite large.

[Tmax]

I just got an e-mail from a climbing group that says the fire is between Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting and that Minnewaska park is closed!

[mountainmeijin]

Well, as long as they're keeping at it. I wonder how it got started?

[MattC]

And here I am, the local guy and I didn't even know! I guess I forgot to look in that direction the last couple of days!

If it was right between the two lakes, I wouldn't be surprised if it was caused by a person. The Gunks of course tend to stay very dry (the hemlock-lined clove bottoms being exceptions) and have always been fire-prone. After the recent hot, dry weather, I'm sure conditions were ripe.

Funny, I was just hiking in the Gunks two days ago after work, although in a different area. I climbed Bonticou Crag and then walked the Northeast Ridge and doubled back on the Table Rocks trail. Several of the fields in the Spring Farm area have been intentionally burned in the past couple years as part of the "prescribed burn" program.

Fire has been and remains part of the Gunks, whether natural or human caused, intentional or accidental. I'm not suggesting that a wildfire is a good thing of course, and I truly hope everyone fighting the fire remains safe. However, it should be noted the Ridge does contain plant species that will do well after a fire.

Matt

[mudhook]

Lots of smaller fires around also. We had one on Plattekill Mt (thur)that actually burned into the woods from its start in a field,which is an indication of how dry the forests are( they usually stop at the woods line).Be careful, only you and mother nature ,can start a fire, although I do get to hear a lot of other excuses/causes.
With last Aprils ice storm damage,and the recent dry spell, there is plenty of dry fuel for a big fire.

[Rockledge]

Originally Posted by MattC

Fire has been and remains part of the Gunks, whether natural or human caused, intentional or accidental. I'm not suggesting that a wildfire is a good thing of course, and I truly hope everyone fighting the fire remains safe. However, it should be noted the Ridge does contain plant species that will do well after a fire.

Matt

Agreed. Not advocating brush fires, and I certainly don't want to see anyone hurt or property destroyed, but the indigenous peoples in North America were well acquainted with the benefits of "controlled" burns and allowing the land to reclaim itself.

I just hope it doesn't get out of control given the dry conditions. My yard is a "dust bowl" right now.

[mountainmeijin]

Next week will be wetter, hopefully, once the cold front moves through. I just hope the lightning doesn't spark anything more...

Got back from a 40 mile bike ride around the res.,and the smoke is not as much as it was yesterday.I will be on Van Wyck tomorrow,and check it out. Years ago the locals used to burn the mtns. for a greater yield of blueberries.It will be good picking in that area in years to come.

[MattC]

I just heard that it's still going and it's up to 3000 acres! Also heard that it had started as a controlled burn and got out of hand due to wind. My source on this is just some people I was talking to at Bacchus, so please don't quote me on this. I'll be anxious to read the whole story.

Matt

[Rockledge]

I saw an alert from the NWS stating over 2300 acres burned. They are urging people in the area with breathing problems to remain indoors. Dry weather looks like it will continue for several more days also. Hopefully the wind will remain fairly calm.

[Mark Schaefer]

The latest newspaper updates mention 2300 acres burned as of 4pm Saturday, April 19. The fire is 60% contained. The cause is still under investigation. Crews are working around the clock. There have been no injuries. Only one building, a ranger hut, has been destroyed. Route 44/55 and Minnewaska State Park remain closed.

I heard an early report that the fire had started near one of the northwest facing scenic overlooks along Route 44/55. The Kingston Freeman article stated it was burning parallel to Route 44/55 (an online photo appeared to confirm that). Most of the photos seem to indicate that the fire is on the west side and below the crest of the ridge. It appears to be above Route 44/55, and perhaps entirely west of the Jenny Lane Trail. Several other early reports described the fire as "between Lakes Minnewaska and Awosting", however, it appears the area affected may be west of both lakes.

Articles:
Kingston Freeman, April 18
Middletown Times Herald-Record, April 19
Poughkeepsie Journal, April 19

Middletown Times Herald-Record photo galleries:
April 18
April 19

(edit) Some minor Sunday morning updates:
Kingston Freeman, April 20
Middletown Times Herald-Record, April 20
Poughkeepsie Journal, April 20

Fire reportedly 75-80% contained, 5 miles from Cragsmoor:
Kingston Freeman, April 20
Middletown Times Herald-Record, April 20
Poughkeepsie Journal, April 20

[gfxsean]

This article is saying that the current weather conditions (cooler temps and increased humidity) are helping crews fight the Minnewaska State park fire.

http://www.examiner.com/a-1350880~We...York_Headlines

80% contained now and thankfully no homes lost or injuries reported.

[mountainmeijin]

That's good to know. When the highway reopens, I'll have to check out the area.

[TFR]

Originally Posted by mountainmeijin

That's good to know. When the highway reopens, I'll have to check out the area.

The Catskill 3500 Club Yahoo Group received a post from a hike leader who is also a fire fighter. He states:

"Don't look for the park to open too soon. 44/55 will be closed for
awhile. Yesterday our fire dept(Liberty) me included spent some time
there. We protected home on 44/55 as the fire came up to the edge of the
woods and to the lawns. At one time the fire jumped the fire lines and
the firefighters had to pull back to a safe area and wait it out. This
will be burning for a log time. Already consumed over 3000 acres."

[Mark Schaefer]

The firefighters have named this the "Overlooks Fire" because it started near the scenic overlooks on Route 44/55. After spreading in a southwest line parallel to Route 44/55, it proceeded up the Stony Kill valley. It has burned past the waterfall, but not as far as the Smiley Carriageway. It has burned or scorched over 3100 acres.

There is a topo map of the burn area in the second image of this photo gallery from the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper. The map indicates that the fire may have burned over the area northwest and above the Lower Awosting Carriageway. That would include the Jenny Lane Trail. Hopefully it was only scorched. The smoke in the photos did not appear to be from that area (based on my own reading of the photos posted so far). Jenny Lane Trail is a favorite Mountain Laurel hike through a forest of towering laurel trees. But it will regenerate in time even if burned. Blueberry growth will increase in future years throughout the burn area.

The fire may take some time to entirely extinguish. There are many crevices in the Gunks that contain dry organic matter. These may continue to smolder after the surface fires appear to be doused.

The Middletown newspaper has had the most comprehensive coverage. The link below contains additional links to their related/earlier stories and photo galleries:
Middletown Times Herald-Record, April 21. The photo is from Shaft Road, which is near Stony Kill Falls.
Poughkeepsie Journal, April 21
Today's coverage in the Kingston Freeman is the same article that I posted earlier:
Kingston Freeman, April 20 update

[Jay H]

Jenny Lane is part of the Long Path? I think that is what MattC and I took to get into the park from 44/55..

We had a groundcover fire by me in West Milford, NJ part of the blue trail to Terrace pond from Clinton Road burned, could still smell the ashes too and the fire went right up to the trail which acted as a firebreak. All of the groundcover was a black ash and tar but it seemed most live trees survived and didn't catch.

Jay

[Mark Schaefer]

Originally Posted by Jay H

Jenny Lane is part of the Long Path? I think that is what MattC and I took to get into the park from 44/55..

Correct. It begins from a small parking area on "Jenny Lane" north/off Route 44/55 near the Sanders Kill. I drove by last autumn, and there was an additional new parking area on 44/55. IIRC the new parking area is at the intersection of Jenny Lane and 44/55, which is a short walk from where the trail actually crosses 44/55.

Jenny Lane Trail is currently part of the Long Path. However, after a planned relocation of the LP, the Jenny Lane Trail will no longer be part of the LP. That is still some years in the future.