Wind, dry air, lack of rain cause fires to spread quickly

Numerous fires have been reported in the Tri-state region in the past week, including a brush fire in Lakeville that spread over an estimated 35 to 50 acres. Firefighters in Dutchess County were particularly busy this weekend and on Monday. Ten fires were reported that day as high winds and dry conditions combined to create a perfect storm of dangerous conditions.A fire in Amenia on Saturday evening burned the private family chapel on the property of the Stefanopoulos family. Fires Monday were reported in Freedom Plains behind Arlington High School, Clinton Corners, Poughkeepsie (at Marist College), Hughsonville, Wassaic (a fire was started apparently by a cigarette at a house on Poplar Hill Road), Pawling, LaGrange (a large brush fire), Beacon (a structure fire). At press time, information was not yet available on the outcome or causes of the fires.Two fires were reported simultaneously in Millbrook on Monday, on North Tower Hill Road and Woodstock Road. Both fires caused no damage to any structures, and were open space burns.There was also a fire Monday at the Kent School. The Rev. Richardson Schell, headmaster of the school, said it started in a room in the Field Dormitory building on campus. The fire alarm, indicating the location of the fire, went off shortly after 10 a.m., as did the sprinkler system.“Though we were not in session, there were a few students and faculty on campus. The building was immediately evacuated. There were no injuries,” he said.The headmaster said smoke was coming out of the front door of the dormitory and from several windows. The fire department arrived within a few minutes. By that time the sprinkler system had put out the fire.The fire department remained on campus for approximately one and a half hours. After inspecting the building for any further damage, they ventilated the dormitory to remove all remaining smoke.“While we have not yet received the fire marshal’s report, it is likely this was caused by a clock radio,” Schell said.For most of the area fires, volunteer firefighters from Connecticut and New York worked together to not only contain the blazes but also to remain on call in case of new emergencies.In the March 15 issue of The Lakeville Journal, reporter Karen Bartomioli’s article on area brush fires offered safety instructions for avoiding fires in this unseasonably warm, dry spring. This week, as a public service, The Journal presents that article below. The warm weather is encouraging residents to get a jump on spring yard cleanup. For many, the big chore this year is clearing away tree limbs — not only the typical winter debris, but leftovers from the late-October nor’easter. But those planning to burn some of the wood and slash outdoors are going to have to wait.Spring in the north is perceived as a wet time of the year. Yes, the thawing ground is spongy about now, but the Northwest Corner is in a drought and the fire index is high. That, combined with spates of high wind, and those who either don’t know of or disregard the “no fire” warnings, seems to be accountable for a recent rash of brush fires across the region.The spring forest fire season typically runs from mid-March to mid-May. This year’s season is solidly here ahead of schedule. The fire index, which can be low, moderate, high, very high or extreme, is issued daily by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Of late, it has been very high, with high-wind episodes a contributing factor.Typically, spring fires are fueled by “forest fuels,” according to the DEEP. These are materials such as grass, leaves, twigs and decaying material in the soil. They dry out when the snow melts, trees are still bare and they are exposed to the warmer spring sunlight. Most of these are “one-hour fuels,” which can be combustible in as little as an hour after rain, if the sun comes out and the wind picks up. At this time of year, most fires are fueled by these surface materials. Trees don’t usually ignite and cause devastating forest fires, but a blaze can spread rapidly and overrun developed areas.Wind is the most critical element, drying out materials quickly, adding fuel and helping to spread a fire.It’s OK to burn uncontaminated wood and brush 3 inches in diameter or less only after being issued a permit for a specific day by a local burning official, and, only after determining the fire index on that day is below high. Reports are available at www.ct.gov/dep, usually by 7 a.m. Search at the website for “fire danger.” Asher Pavel, Whitney Joseph and Cynthia Hochswender contributed to this story. This article was updated from one that appeared at www.tricornernews.com.