SUMMITVILLE, NY — Firefighters from Orange and Sullivan counties battled a blaze on Shawangunk Ridge near the small hamlet of Summitville in Sullivan County on May 3.

About 30 acres of forest had been destroyed by Sunday evening, and the fire had grown to be nearly a mile long. A helicopter from the New York State Police was used to drop water on the flames.

Officials believe that the fire was started by a resident who was burning rubbish on his property in violation of a burn ban in place from March 16 through May 14.