Valley Fire Departments Deploy to Sullivan County

Schoharie Valley firefighters under the direction of County Fire Coordinator Matt Brisley were deployed to Sullivan County on Tuesday morning to assist local fire crews engaged with a massive blaze. 

Starting over the weekend in a rural area of Sullivan County, the fire quickly spread and grew into a mile long inferno that overwhelmed local fire departments. Reinforcements have come in from across the state, including Schoharie County. 

Thirteen firemen and women from the Central Bridge, Grand Gorge, Middleburgh, and Schoharie departments deployed at approximately 6:30 a.m. yesterday, where they were immediately sent to the front-lines to patrol the volatile fire line. 

Fire Coordinator Matt Brisley reported that helicopters were hovering throughout the area to drop buckets of water on the flames, while firemen worked on the ground to prevent the blaze from jumping the established perimeter. 

The Associated Press reported that officials suspect the brush fire was caused as a result of a homeowner burning rubbish outdoors in violation of a statewide burn ban. County crews recently faced this same scenario in Huntersland.