Lightning Strike Believed to Start New York Wildland Fire In Adirondacks

Lightning strike is believed to be the cause of a wildland fire in New York's Adirondacks.

On Saturday July 12th, Ray Brook Dispatch received a request from local fire departments for Forest Ranger assistance with a wildland fire believed to be caused by lightning. Take a look at the pictures below showing the damage caused by the strike and the fire.

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According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Ranger Black teamed up with the Keeseville Fire Department to investigate a wildland fire in Essex County.

Crews from six fire departments, Keeseville EMS, and seven Rangers were assigned to control the fire. Crews worked overnight and into the next day, containing the two-acre fire by the evening of July 13th. Following the investigation it was determined that the fire was likely started by a lightning strike.

The DEC reports that the fire danger risk in the Adirondacks High Peak Region is currently at a low level. However, an intense heat source, such as lightning, may start fires in duff or punky wood.

Fires in open cured grasslands may burn freely a few hours after rain, but woods fires spread slowly by creeping or smoldering, and burn in irregular fingers. There is little danger of spotting.

Wildfires, often called forest fires, damage thousands of acres of natural resources most every year in New York. Although wildfires naturally occur from lightning, human activities are the cause of most wildfires.