'Mount Zion' Wildfire Contained, 3 Firefighters Hurt: Fire Officials

PLATTEKILL, NY — Fire officials have announced that a massive wildfire in Ulster County has been contained.

"As of today at 18:57 hours this fire is contained," Plattekill Fire Department officials announced on social media on Sunday. "This report is showing a great amount of progress as the mitigation efforts at the 'Mount Zion' at Hemlock Ridge Fire continues."

Crews were re-assembling on Monday morning to continue to keep the wildfire in check. Those efforts are expected to wrap up sometime today.

Three firefighters were injured while attempting to bring the blaze under control. They were taken to local hospitals with what is described as "non-life threatening injuries."

The fire has expanded to over 55 acres, with fluctuating winds increasing the risk of rapid growth, according to firefighters, who continue to monitor mountain roads, and are ready to issue evacuation orders or special instructions if needed.

Bringing the blaze under control was complicated by moderate to difficult terrain with steep dropoffs, and rock-laden, steep trailheads which are inaccessible by all terrain vehicles on Hemlock Ridge, making firefighting efforts extremely difficult.

There are no active order of evacuations for either the Town of Plattekill or Town of Marlboro. Fire officials say there is no danger to homes, structures or businesses right now. Burn bans, however, are being strictly enforced in Plattekill and Marlboro.

The helicopters dropped 23,000 gallons of water so far. There will most likely not be air support due to the second large area fire down in Harriman State Park.

Smoke from the two large brush fires drifted as far away as the Town of Somers in Westchester County, where residual smoke and odor were pronounced.

There have been 19 fire departments with approximately 100 firefighters, in addition to DEC officers and rangers on the scene of the wildfire. Firefighters and equipment have come from as far away as Sullivan, Orange, Dutchess and Ulster counties.

On Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new real-time weather tool to help New Yorkers know when there is an increased risk of wildfires. According to daily Fire Danger Ratings generated, the entire state of New York is considered to be at a "high" risk, due to recent dry conditions. A "high" fire danger means "all fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes. Unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. High-intensity burning may develop on slopes or in concentrations of fine fuels. Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small."