Two large wildfires are burning in the Minnewaska State Preserve and local firefighters are helping to battle it.
Crews first responded to a call for a brush fire at the Napanoch Point on Friday, which officials say was caused by several lightning strikes from a morning thunderstorm. Multiple fire departments were called in to help fight the fire as it quickly spread due to dry conditions amid an ongoing drought.
On Saturday, a second wildfire erupted near Sam’s Point, home of the popular ice cave tourist attraction. Firefighters had not yet contained the first fire when this one broke out.
The first fire at Napanoch Point is encompassing an estimated 150 acres. Officials estimate the current containment is only 15%. There is still no word on the size of the second fire at Sam’s Point, but it is continuing to burn aggressively. Fire crews are working around the clock to contain both fires.
Firefighters from the Salisbury Mills Fire Department have joined fellow Orange County firefighters from Florida, Pine Bush, and Pocatello in responding to the Ulster County wildfires to help out. Dozens of departments from Ulster and Sullivan Counties are operating on the scene daily.
Multiple state agencies have also joined in. The New York State Police Aviation Unit is operating two Huey helicopters six to eight hours a day dropping up to 180 buckets of water daily. Each bucket holds up to 300 gallons.
