Napanoch Wildfires Expected To Spread Over 24 Hours: County

ELLENVILLE, NY — Wildfires in the Napanoch Point area of Minnewaska State Park are expected to spread over the next 24 hours, and crews will be working on suppression efforts.

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said in a news release Monday that he wanted to assure the community that everything is being done to keep people safe.

"Conditions right now are very dry," he said, "and we must remain vigilant and careful about fires."

The Napanoch fire, which is now about 30 acres, is believed to have been started by a lightning strike Saturday.

Due to remote and rugged terrain, the New York State Police Aviation was called in to assist with scouting the fire and providing bucket drops.

On Sunday, nearly 100 state and local firefighters, working in a joint unified command led by Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers, engaged in a suppression effort. Two NYSP helicopters have conducted more than 100 bucket drops, officials said.

There is no immediate threat to residents, though there is one seasonal hunting cabin within the vicinity of the fire.

Officials said, if conditions change, notifications will be made.

Assisting on-scene are firefighters from Accord, Kerhonkson, Ellenville, Cragsmoor, Napanoch, Walker Valley, Marlboro, Olive, Wallkill, New Paltz Rescue, DEC, Office of Parks, Recreations and Historic Preservation and Mohonk Preserve. Additional agencies assisting the effort are the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, Ulster County Department of Emergency Services and the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

To view an up-to-date list of trail closures due to forest fire, visit the Minnewaska State Park Preserve website.