Firefighters from New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are battling a major brush fire in western Orange County plus an additional large brush nearby.
The first fire was called into the Hugenot Fire Department at approximately 10:40am this morning. A large stretch of brush and woods is burning not far from the Neversink River. The fire scene is well north of Interstate 84 in Greenville and well south of Route 209 in Hugenot.
Passers-by in Middletown report heavy smoke is blowing off the mountain due to the size of the fire and the gusty winds.
Fire departments from as far as Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, located near Interstate 80 near Lake Hopatcong, made the long trek with lights and sirens to battle the fire before it impedes near houses.
From Orange County, fire departments from Cuddlebackville, Port Jervis, Sparrowbush, Otisville, Greenville, Johnson, Pocatello, Mechanicstown, and Unionville have all responded to the scene.
From Sullivan County, the Westbrookville, Lumberland, and Forestburg Fire Departments have responded with brush equipment.
From Pennsylvania, the Westfall and Matamoras Fire Departments have responded to assist.
From New Jersey, the Montague and Picatinny Arsenal Fire Departments are working at the scene.
The Howells Fire Department from Orange County and the Milford Fire Department from Pennsylvania are covering any additional calls in Hugenot.
An additional large brush fire has broken out in New Hampton, located between Goshen and Middletown. Shortly after 2:00pm, the New Hampton Fire Department was called to a report of electrical wires down on County Route 12.
Firefighters arrived and found high-tension electrical wires were live on the ground and ignited a brush fire which is threatening a building. Firefighters cannot begin putting water on the fire until Orange & Rockland arrives to shut off the power, which is estimated to be another half hour from now.
The incident commander reported the brush fire is getting away from firefighters and they are unable to control it. So far, the Slate Hill and Mechanicstown Fire Departments have been called to help. One residence is being evacuated.
