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Firefighting

Wildfires Near Containment As Governor Mobilizes Multi-Agency Response Wildfires Near Containment As Governor Mobilizes Multi-Agency Response
Wildfires Near Containment As Governor Mobilizes Multi-Agency Response As the wildfires continue to burn across the state and in the Hudson Valley, Gov. Kathy Hochul outlined the extensive efforts to combat them, highlighting the crucial roles played by local and national agencies in tackling the blazes. On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Hochul provided an update on the ongoing wildfire situation in the state, prompting a robust response from more than 400 fire departments and over 1,300 personnel.  These teams have worked tirelessly to contain fires in Orange and Ulster counties, closely coordinating with local fire departments and first responders. Hochul said th…
New Fire Station In Region Celebrates Opening New Fire Station In Region Celebrates Opening
New Fire Station In Region Celebrates Opening Hundreds of residents, city officials, and firefighters turned out to unveil a fire department's new station, which consolidates three stations into one. The event occurred in Dutchess County on Saturday, Nov. 16, in Beacon. According to Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou, the new central station for the Beacon Fire Department, located at the “gateway” to Beacon on Route 9D opposite City Hall, represents the culmination of decades of studies and plans to consolidate three fire stations into one central location. Kyriacou said the 17,000-square-foot facility, which costs $14.7 mi…
Governor Provides Update On Wildfires In Region Governor Provides Update On Wildfires In Region
Governor Provides Update On Wildfires In Region As the wildfires continue to burn across the Hudson Valley, Gov. Kathy Hochul updated what's being done to mitigate and contain them. On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Hochul said a multi-agency response had been deployed to fires in Orange and Ulster counties in close coordination with local fire departments and first responders.  According to Hochul, an aerial investigation shows the Orange County fire named the Jennings Creek/Sterling State Park wildfire in New York and New Jersey now encompasses 5,000 acres, half of which is in New York, and is 10 percent contained in both states. The fire in …
Massive Wildfire In Region Spreads To 600 Acres Massive Wildfire In Region Spreads To 600 Acres
Massive Wildfire In Region Spreads To 600 Acres A massive wildfire in the Hudson Valley is now 95 percent contained as firefighters continue establishing a control line to try and gain full containment.  The Whitehouse Fire in Ulster County in Denning had grown to 630 areas as of late Monday, Nov. 11. Metzger said Tuesday, Nov. 12, firefighters from the state Department of Environmental Conservation and more than 200 volunteer firefighters from Ulster, Sullivan, and Greene counties continue to work toward full containment. "Burn bans are in effect in every municipality in Ulster County, and outdoor burning is prohibited," Ulst…
School Bus Goes Up In Flames In Region School Bus Goes Up In Flames In Region
School Bus Goes Up In Flames In Region A busy road in the region was temporarily closed as crews battled a school bus fire.  The blaze happened on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 7 in Northern Westchester County when the bus caught on fire in Valhalla on Grasslands Road (Route 100), according to the Valhalla Fire Department. Luckily, no students were aboard the bus at the time and no injuries were reported. The blaze was quickly put out and the bus was removed from the road, the department said, adding that the roadway was then reopened to traffic. 
Large Brush Fire Breaks Out At State Park In Region Large Brush Fire Breaks Out At State Park In Region
Large Brush Fire Breaks Out At State Park In Region For two days, numerous Hudson Valley fire departments battled a stubborn brush fire atop Nordkop Mountain. The fire occurred in Rockland County on Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27, in Harriman State Park in Hillburn. The Hillburn Fire Department, with the assistance of several fire departments and New York State Park rangers, battled the blaze that consumed acres. According to the Hillburn Fire Department, firefighters cut fire lines and worked to put out the blaze, which they described as "difficult and stubborn." The department said the fire was contained on Sunday, and park range…
Major Brush Fire In Region Spreads Smoke For Miles Major Brush Fire In Region Spreads Smoke For Miles
Major Brush Fire In Region Spreads Smoke For Miles A major brush fire over at least a dozen acres in the Hudson Valley produced smoke that spread across the New York border into Connecticut. The blaze broke out at around 12:05 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in Putnam County in the area of Route 301 and East Boyds Road in the town of Kent and was finally contained late in the day on Sunday, Oct. 27. While responding, crews observed a large fire on the mountain and immediately requested mutual aid from neighboring departments, according to the Kent Fire Department.  Responding crews located the large brushfire of approximately 5 to 6 acres…
Large Brush Fire Erupts In Region Near Country Club Large Brush Fire Erupts In Region Near Country Club
Large Brush Fire Erupts In Region Near Country Club Several fire and police departments are battling a large brush fire near a country club in the Hudson Valley.  The fire began in Putnam County on Thursday, Oct. 24 around 11:30 a.m. in the area of Golf Ridge Road and China Circle Court near the Sedgewood Club golf course in the town of Kent, the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services announced around 12:45 p.m.  Several departments are now operating at the scene of the fire. A Department of Environmental Protection helicopter is also circling the skies over the blaze providing images from the air, officials said.  M…
Car Fire Extends To Surrounding Woods In Hudson Valley Car Fire Extends To Surrounding Woods In Hudson Valley
Car Fire Extends To Surrounding Woods In Hudson Valley A blaze that consumed a vehicle in the Hudson Valley became even worse after it extended to the surrounding woods. The incident happened in Putnam County on Wednesday, July 10 just after 9:30 p.m., when a car caught on fire in Carmel in the area of Gipsy Trail Road, according to the Lake Carmel Fire Department. Arriving crews soon discovered that the blaze had extended to the surrounding woods. Despite the complication, firefighters were able to quickly put out the flames with help from the Frozen Fun Ice Cream Truck, which helped crews at the scene by providing them with frozen treats.…
NY Veteran's Lifelong 'Secret' Revealed In Heartbreaking Obituary Going Viral NY Veteran's Lifelong 'Secret' Revealed In Heartbreaking Obituary Going Viral
NY Veteran's Lifelong 'Secret' Revealed In Heartbreaking Obituary Going Viral A decorated veteran and retired firefighter from upstate New York is going viral for his heartbreaking posthumous revelation. Lifelong Rensselaer County resident Col. Edward Thomas Ryan, of Rensselaer, died with a long-kept secret that rendered him “afraid of being ostracized,” he wrote in his own obituary, which was published in the Albany Times Union on Saturday, June 8. "I must tell you one more thing. I was gay all my life: thru grade school, thru high school, thru college, thru life,” Ryan wrote. “I'm sorry for not having the courage to come out as gay. I was afraid of being ostraciz…
Blaze Sparks At Northern Westchester Restaurant Blaze Sparks At Northern Westchester Restaurant
Blaze Sparks At Northern Westchester Restaurant A blaze at a Northern Westchester restaurant was stopped from being worse than it could have been thanks to the quick actions of firefighters.  The fire happened on Monday, June 6 just after 2:30 a.m. at Coral Seafood Restaurant in Yorktown Heights at 63 Route 6, according to the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department, which helped respond to the blaze.  Thanks to the work of fire crews, more extensive damage to the building was prevented, the department said.  The cause of the fire was not released. 
Hudson Valley Apartment Fire Injures 2, Leaves 50 Homeless Hudson Valley Apartment Fire Injures 2, Leaves 50 Homeless
Hudson Valley Apartment Fire Injures 2, Leaves 50 Homeless A resident and a firefighter were injured during a fire at a three-story Hudson Valley apartment building. The blaze occurred in Rockland County around 9:30 p.m., Monday, April 22, at the Surrey Carlton Apartments on Ewing Avenue in Spring Valley. According to the Spring Valley Police and Mark Lieb of Rockland Video Productions, officers found a fire with heavy flames and smoke coming from the living room of a top-floor apartment. Police told Lieb that a woman was trapped unconscious inside, suffering from smoke inhalation. Unidentified neighbors brought her downstairs to safety. She was t…
Lifelong Hudson Valley Resident Who Served As Fire Chief, Owned Catering Business Dies At 70 Lifelong Hudson Valley Resident Who Served As Fire Chief, Owned Catering Business Dies At 70
Lifelong Hudson Valley Resident Who Served As Fire Chief, Owned Catering Business Dies At 70 A popular lifelong Hudson Valley former fire chief and catering business owner known for his love of cooking has died at the age of 70. Ulster County resident Michael B. Hackett, of Highland, passed away on Monday, Jan. 15. He was born on Sunday, June 7, 1953, in Poughkeepsie, to the late Francis and the late Rita (McGrath) Hackett, according to his obituary.  He was a resident all of his life. He was a graduate of Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls and a member of St. Martin de Porres Church in Poughkeepsie, his obituary said,  Retired from Geodis/IBM of Poughkeepsie…
Beloved Westchester Firefighter Dies Years After Collapsing At Residential Blaze Beloved Westchester Firefighter Dies Years After Collapsing At Residential Blaze
Beloved Westchester Firefighter Dies Years After Collapsing At Residential Blaze A city in Westchester is mourning the loss of a beloved firefighter who is being celebrated for his bravery and dedication to his community.  Mount Vernon Firefighter Lamont “Wise” Killian, Jr., died from heart-related issues on Monday, Dec. 11 at the age of 51, city officials announced.  According to the US Fire Administration, Killian had been off-duty since collapsing at the scene of a residential fire on June 22, 2019, when he suffered a heart attack.  Killian's city is now remembering him as someone who was always prepared to help people.  "Your bravery …
Former Fire Chief, Air Force Vet From Northern Westchester Dies Former Fire Chief, Air Force Vet From Northern Westchester Dies
Former Fire Chief, Air Force Vet From Northern Westchester Dies A former fire chief and lifelong Northern Westchester resident who dedicated much of his life to firefighting has died.  Yorktown Heights resident Arthur Orneck, who served as the Chief of the Yorktown Heights Volunteer Fire Department between 1986 and 1987, died on Tuesday, April 4 at the age of 74, according to his obituary.   Born in White Plains in 1948, Orneck lived his entire life in Yorktown Heights and worked as a professional firefighter for the Greenville Fire District in Scarsdale for 20 years before retiring in 2000.  Additionally, he was also a 58-year…
74-Year-Old Dies In Capital Region House Fire, Explosion That Nearly Killed Firefighter 74-Year-Old Dies In Capital Region House Fire, Explosion That Nearly Killed Firefighter
74-Year-Old Dies In Capital Region House Fire, Explosion That Nearly Killed Firefighter A 74-year-old man from the region was killed in a house fire and explosion that nearly claimed the life of a firefighter, authorities said. Emergency crews in Greene County were called at around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, with reports that a home was on fire in the Village of Catskill, located on Main Street, according to State Police. By the time firefighters arrived, flames could be seen on all three floors, Catskill Fire Company officials said. A 74-year-old Catskill man was killed in a house fire and explosion that nearly claimed the life of a firefighter Wednesday morning, Ma…
Former Volunteer Firefighter In Region Who 'Always Put Others Before Herself' Dies At Age 85 Former Volunteer Firefighter In Region Who 'Always Put Others Before Herself' Dies At Age 85
Former Volunteer Firefighter In Region Who 'Always Put Others Before Herself' Dies At Age 85 Friends and loved ones are mourning the loss of a former firefighter in the region with a history of serving her community. Saratoga County’s Carole McBride, of the Town of Halfmoon, died Friday, Dec. 23, at the age of 85, according to her obituary. A cause of death was not given. Born in Troy on Feb. 26, 1937 to parents Hubert and Helen Muckle, “she was known for her warm and welcoming personality, always putting others before herself, and going out of the way to help those in need,” reads her memorial. McBride volunteered in the Clifton Park Halfmoon Emergency Corps, where she rose to t…
House Destroyed After Massive Fire Breaks Out In Hudson Valley House Destroyed After Massive Fire Breaks Out In Hudson Valley
House Destroyed After Massive Fire Breaks Out In Hudson Valley Several fire departments battled a Hudson Valley house fire that destroyed the large home while having to bring in water due to the lack of fire hydrants. The fire took place in Dutchess County in Rhinebeck on Kipp Road around 11:30 p.m., Saturday, May 21. According to the Rhinebeck Fire Department, first arriving firefighters from both Hillside and Rhinebeck found the 2,000-square-foot house fully engulfed in flames. Due to the location of the home, several fire tankers "drafted" in thousands of gallons of water from a nearby pond, the Rhinebeck Fire Department said. The fire was pl…