A fire is burning in the Minnewaska State Park Preserve, according to Carl Chipman, Town of Rochester supervisor.
The fire, located at the Minnewaska Park above the first lookout on Route 44/55, involves an estimated 20 to 25 acres and is approximately 50-60% contained. “There aren’t any homes or other structures threatened by the fire in that area, which is very good news,” said Chipman. “As of this moment, there are members from 28 fire companies in our region fighting the fire along with the DEC, and State Police air support doing water drops. Please don’t be alarmed if you smell smoke in the valley, as it is normal for it to waft down.”
Minnewaska Park is closed, and Route 44/55 has been closed to non-local traffic beginning with its intersection with Route 209. Motorists wishing to travel from New Paltz to 209, should take 299 to Springtown Road, then Mountain Rest Road, then veer onto Mohonk Road to reach 209 in Accord.
In April, a fire in the Sam’s Point area of the park burned more than 2,000 acres, which closed the park for a week.
Let’s hope the state does a better job than it did in April at Sam’s Point fighting the fire and working with the local fire companies and keeping the community informed. That was a disgrace.