GRAHAMSVILLE  — A second alarm brush fire brought multiple companies from around the county, as well as Ulster and Delaware Counties, to Whitehouse Road in the area of 171 Peekamoose Road on the edge of Grahamsville and the Town of Denning in Ulster County late Friday afternoon in what was described as a large-scale incident. 

The fire continued through Monday and according to Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, was spanning approximately 600 acres as of Monday morning. 

The Youngsville Fire Department reported that they were originally requested for mutual aid to a brush fire at Sundown Road and State Route 55A at 1:17 p.m. on Friday, before being redirected to the fire on Peeakmoose Road shortly after 4 p.m. 

Upon arriving at the scene, responders reported the fire to be running the mountain and catching two structures on Peekamoose Road ablaze. 

In addition, a third residence on Whitehouse Road was in imminent danger of being consumed as well. 

Metzger reported that firefighters continued working throughout the day on Sunday to establish a control line around the perimeter of the brush fire and had achieved 90 percent containment by nightfall Sunday evening. 

“With help from last night’s rain, we expect significant progress toward 100 percent containment today [Monday],” Metzger said. “We have 139 personnel from 18 fire departments deployed today to continue this work. We want to again extend our gratitude to NYS DEC Forest Rangers and the many local volunteer firefighters from Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware and Greene counties who have been working on the ground to suppress this fire, as well as the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and NYS Police Aviation for the bucket drops on Saturday and Sunday, and all of the agencies involved in this coordinated effort. We also want to thank the many people and local businesses that donated food for our firefighters.”

Metzger reported earlier in the weekend that about 185 firefighters from 20 agencies from Sullivan, Ulster and Delaware Counties had been involved in fire suppression efforts. 

“The incident is being managed through the unified command system by Ulster County Department of Emergency Services, Sullivan County Division of Public Safety, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Environmental Protection and the Grahamsville Fire Department,” said Metzger.

Peekamoose Road at the Denning Town Line in Ulster County through Sundown Road was closed off to traffic as the fire was ablaze. A representative of the Grahamsville Fire Department told the Democrat on Monday morning that the fire had been pushed down away from any houses and other structures. 

The agencies called for Mutual Aid on Friday were as follows:

Liberty- Engine, Tanker, Manpower

White Lake- Mini Pumper, UTV, Manpower

Olive- UTV, Brush Equipment, Manpower

Ellenville- Tanker, UTV, Brush Equipment, Manpower

Accord- Brush Equipment, Manpower

Kerhonkson- Brush Equipment, Manpower

Phoenicia- Tanker

Summitville- Brush Equipment, UTV, Manpower

Rock Hill- UTV, Brush Equipment, Manpower

Youngsville- Mini, Brush Equipment, UTV, Manpower

Kauneonga Lake- Tanker, Brush Equipment, UTV, Manpower

Callicoon- Tanker, Brush Equipment, UTV, Manpower

Roscoe- UTV, Brush Equipment, Manpower

Loch Sheldrake- Tanker, Brush Equipment, UTV and Manpower 

Napanoch- Tanker, UTV, Brush Equipment

Woodridge- Brush Equipment, UTV, Manpower

Hurleyville- Standby for Loch Sheldrake

Jeffersonville- Pumper/Tanker and manpower to the scene

Hancock- Engine and Manpower to standby in Liberty

Aviation Unit for water drops

NYS Forest Rangers (Coordinating response)

In addition, Ulster County Police Department units were dispatched to help in evacuations along Peekamoose Road.

Fire departments headed back up the mountain Saturday morning to continue fighting the ravaging blaze, and again on Sunday and Monday. 

The Grahamsville Fire Department was also accepting food and drink donations Saturday morning. Thanks to community outreach, it didn’t take long for the Town of Neversink to meet immediate needs. The Grahamsville Firehouse was also offering hot meals to those evacuated as well. The Tri-Valley Bears Varsity football team led by Coach Kevin Crudele also went to the Grahamsville Firehouse to volunteer and assist in the efforts. 

In a statement, the Town of Neversink said, “We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible generosity and support you’ve shown today. Thanks to your kindness, we’ve been able to come together as a community in ways that truly inspire.”

The volunteer firefighters worked all weekend in attempting to contain the fire, with state resources being deployed by Governor Kathy Hochul as a multi-agency response to the Whitehouse fire expanding Ulster and Sullivan Counties, as well as another brush fire in Orange County. 

“With recent drought conditions, there have been multiple wildfires ignited across the state, and we have deployed state assets and agencies to coordinate with local first responders in fighting these fires while closely monitoring air quality as a result of them,” Governor Hochul said. “The safety of all New Yorkers is my top priority, and I urge everyone in impacted areas, especially those vulnerable, to stay alert, monitor air quality, and take necessary precautions to stay safe.”

The fire in Orange County at the border of New York and New Jersey at Greenwood Lake took the life of a New York State Park Ranger, identified by State Police as 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez. 

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of one of our New York State Parks employees while responding to a wildfire in Orange County yesterday,” Hochul stated. “My prayers go out to his family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers and his bravery on the front lines.”

Town of Neversink Supervisor Chris Mathews released a statement on behalf of Sullivan County Commissioner of Public Safety Scott Schulte and Grahamsville Fire Chief Michael Kelly on Sunday afternoon. 

“We extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible volunteers from the Grahamsville Fire District, as well as the many dedicated firefighters and supporters from Sullivan County and across New York State,” read the statement. “Although this challenging fire incident is located in Ulster County, it primarily affects the Grahamsville Fire District. This effort has truly been a monumental undertaking, requiring exceptional dedication and resilience.”

They also thanked the community members who generously provided food, drinks and essential supplies to the firehouses in Grahamsville, Neversink and Claryville. 

“Your support has been invaluable and many of you donated your time to make sure our firefighters and responders had everything they needed,” Mathews said in the statement. “Your compassion and commitment have made a real difference, and we are grateful for the ongoing support.”

Sullivan County Fire Coordinator John Hauschild emphasized on Friday that burning outside is incredibly dangerous with conditions dry enough that Sullivan County is under a Drought Watch. 

“We’ve had minimal rain over the past few weeks, and vegetation has dried up due to the change in seasons,” said Hauschild. “The smallest spark could easily set trees and brush aflame. I’m urging everyone to avoid open burning and the consequences that come with it.”