Wildfire Puts Great Barrington in State of EmergencyBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:40PM / Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | |
 A helicopter ferries water to the Butternut Fire in Great Barrington on Tuesday. |
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The town is in a local state of emergency as responders work to calm a wildfire spread over 100 acres near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain.
The Select Board hosted an emergency virtual meeting this afternoon to address the unexpected occurrence. During the meeting, the board declared a local state of emergency until further notice, recognizing that the fire poses an imminent and substantial risk to the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
It was recognized that the conditions require immediate action to protect the public and ensure effective coordination of response efforts.
The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze. The fire was estimated to have spread over 100 acres and required a response of more than 80 personnel since being reported Monday.
For now, firefighters are trying to protect occupied properties. Work will continue throughout the day and night, the department reported. A command center has been set up at the fairgrounds.
Fire Chief Scott Turner said in an afternoon press release that it is an "ongoing and challenging situation" and asked for the public's patience and cooperation as firefighters work around the clock.
"Crews are working diligently to control the spread of the fire, and we are grateful for the support from neighboring fire departments, state agencies, and specialized teams," he said.
"The safety of our firefighters, residents, and the surrounding environment is our top priority."
Local photographer Zack Morris captured a helicopter taking water from the pond at Butternut Ski Area to douse the flames.
Ryan Brown, public information officer for the firefighting efforts, said during a televised press conference in the after that the water is coming from a snowmaking pond and that other resources are being looked at.
At that same press conference, Chief Fire Warden David Celino said there is no immediate danger from the blaze and that a "season-ending" event like snow or rain would likely be needed to complete douse it. The state's drought and dry weather has lead to hundreds of fires across the state since the end of August, he said.
Both he and Brown said the cause was most likely human as there are no utilities in the area where the fire began and no incidents of lightning. Communities across the state have imposed burning bans to prevent the dry tinder from igniting.
"Day after day our local fire departments are responding to illegal burns in the back yards of residences, or campfires — many of these fires are starting from abandoned campfires," Celino said. "Our message is simple: until we get a break in the action here weatherwise please, please follow the warnings and the messaging you are seeing."
The Select Board's Zoom meeting had more than 100 attendees as community members and media sought answers.
"There is citizen speak but we will not be taking any questions or discussing the fire," Chair Stephen Bannon said.
"That's an ongoing situation and during ongoing emergency situations, all information needs to come from emergency personnel, not from political, appointed, or elected officials. At this point, once the emergency is over, we will be glad to have more of a discussion."
Select Board members thanked emergency responders and urged residents to sign up for the Code Red emergency notification system so they can stay up to date.
"I will just say that this is when community means a lot," Bannon added.
"We have our neighboring towns helping us, and this is why we live in this area where we have a community response when there's an emergency and we do appreciate that enormously."
The Fire Department called in help from surrounding communities and agencies, including responders from Berkshire County, the state Department of Fire Services, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Massachusetts Air National Guard Wing.
The public is asked to stay clear of the affected forest area and avoid flying private drones in the area because they may hinder efforts. The town is using a drone to monitor the fire.
"The community is reminded that the current Outdoor Fire Ban remains in effect. This wildfire adds to the more than 500 fires reported across Massachusetts since October 1st," the town wrote in a press release Tuesday morning.
"We urge residents to remain vigilant and avoid the affected area for their safety."
Those who wish to support the first responders at the scene can bring donations of cash or gift cards to the Claire Teague Senior Center, located at 915 South Main St., Monday through Friday from 8 to 3:30.
At this time, the Fire Department is unable to accept donations of food items.
Further updates can be found on townofgb.org.
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