Firefighters Respond to Second Brush Fire in as Many Days

Middlefield and Durham firefighters have responded to two brush fires in the past two days.

Monday afternoon a fire blackened about three acres atop Beseck Mountain in Middlefield, according to Middlefield Volunteer Fire Company Chief Peter Tyc.

Fire crews from the two towns, as well as the Westfield Volunteer Fire Department in Middletown responded to the fire shortly after 2 p.m. The fire was located about a half-mile south of Powder Ridge ski area along the ridge line.

Firefighters accessed the area using a utility truck and ATVs and by traveling along the power lines on Powder Hill Road. Crews spent about three hours putting out hot spots, Tyc said.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection also responded to the scene.

The cause of the brush fire has not been determined but Tyc said fireworks were found in the vicinity.

On Sunday night, firefighters from each of the departments responded to a brush fire along Higby Mountain in Middletown, north of the reservoir. The fire was knocked down by 11 p.m.

Tyc said the fire danger remains high and that all outside fires are prohibited at this time.