GRAHAMSVILLE, NY— A large brushfire in Grahamsville, which sits at the border of Ulster and Sullivan counties on the Ulster side, blazed through the weekend amid a state wide burn ban and drought designation. 

As of Wednesday, November 13, the flames are “just about 100 percent contained,” Sullivan County Fire Coordinator John Haushild told the River Reporter

He says he aided in fighting the fire for 18-hours both Friday and Saturday. He said firefighters on the scene made significant progress yesterday and today.

Multiple fire departments from Sullivan, Ulster and Orange in addition to the county's public safety officials have coordinated to fight the blaze. According to the Liberty fire department, multiple structures were involved in the brush fire, which spread about 600 acres.

Sullivan is one of 15 counties in New York State that have been placed under a drought watch as of early November. Ulster is also on the list, as well as Orange and Delaware counties.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) highlighted an increased risk of wildfires in November along the East Coast. Sullivan County released a warning, in which Hauschild said “outdoor burning is incredibly dangerous.”

“The smallest spark could easily set trees and brush aflame. I’m urging everyone to avoid open burning and the consequences that can come with it: callouts of local fire departments, damage to plants and properties, and injuries—including death,” he said in the release.

Read more about the dorught here

Monitor the drought

In New York, visit www.dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quantity/drought.

In PA, visit www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PlanningConservation/Drought/pages/default.aspx.