Butternut Fire 40 Percent ContainedBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:48PM / Tuesday, November 26, 2024 | |
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire is 40 percent contained and the command post has been moved to Butternut Ski Area.
Tuesday brought welcome rain and first responders operated with a smaller crew focused on observing. One week into the wildfire, officials maintain that conditions are improving and the public should not be alarmed.
"After additional data gathered yesterday and compiled overnight, we can say with confidence that the fire is 40 percent contained," the Great Barrington Fire Department wrote on Tuesday morning.
"We expect that this containment number will grow rapidly as more verification data is obtained. Do NOT get hung up on the numbers — the fire is controlled and we have not lost any ground — this is simply a number that is used for official reporting. Let us say that again — the fire is controlled."
The department is collecting data and getting more accurate measurements and GPS locations of the burned area, expecting that the acreage involved will grow.
"Let us be clear – the fire did not grow; the data became more accurate," GBFD clarified.
"The perimeter around the fire is expected to be as much as 10 miles. To put the acreage involved in perspective, if the marking on the perimeter moves 1 foot, you have added 1.2 acres. 100 feet (less than 1/3 of a football field) would add 121 acres."
They reiterated that the area is dangerous and the public should stay clear. The smell of smoke will continue and is not a cause for alarm but if air quality deteriorates, the Department of Public Health will provide updated guidance.
On Monday, the command post was moved to the Butternut Ski Area for easier access and better communications. Patrols and observations continued through the night.
State Police Air Wing surveyed the area with infrared imaging to identify hot spots and found less than the previous day. Members from multiple Department of Conservation and Recreation districts assisted the District 12 crew in reinforcing the perimeter of the fire, mapping, and monitoring it.
"Let us be clear, this in no way implies that Ski Butternut is impacted, this is simply for logistics," the Fire Department wrote on Sunday.
DCR crews strengthened the lines in a couple of places and verified that they were holding. Great Barrington and Sheffield fire departments investigated multiple calls and verified that there was no threat.
"We do expect that some of the observed hotspots may show as a glow or a flareup in the affected area. This is expected and you do not need to be alarmed," GBFD wrote on Monday.
"We still encourage you to be vigilant and in the event that you feel there is immediate danger to a home or property – or if you see fire outside of the known involved area — call 911."
Sunday's wind was expected to cause flareups and the department clarified that this was expected. Crews operated in a defensive and protective mode for firefighter safety, closely monitoring the area for even the slightest indication of danger to residential areas which "is precautionary and not a cause for panic or fear."
Saturday was rather uneventful, with GBFD reporting in the evening that there were no significant developments throughout the day. Public Information Officer Lt. Brian Mead on Saturday morning said there were still hotspots and potential for flare-ups.
"This area is very unstable. We are expecting that there are going to be trees falling, there are going to be landslides and there are going to be rocks rolling downhill," he said. "It is very steep. The area is slippery. We cannot have anybody in this area."
The fire had not grown as of Friday and crews have dwindled as light rain fell across the region over the past three days. On Friday, the department reported 15 crew members — down from a high of 120 — and identified the involved area as 1,388 acres.
The fire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain was first reported Monday evening. On Tuesday, it spread over 100 acres, and on Wednesday, it covered more than 1,100 acres, expanding into Sheffield.
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