A wildfire in Rensselaer County has crossed into Massachusetts, burning approximately 198 acres and drawing firefighters from three states.
The blaze was 50% contained as of Monday evening, with no buildings threatened, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Crews from New York, Massachusetts and Vermont were working to stop its spread, supported by helicopter water drops.
Difficult access has complicated firefighting efforts. Officials said crews must travel along a trail before hiking farther into the woods to reach the fire. Teams are building and reinforcing control lines while tackling flames directly where possible.
Dry fallen leaves have helped fuel the blaze, officials told WAMC. Authorities asked the public to avoid the Taconic Crest Trail south of State Highway 2 while operations continued.
The fire was first reported Sunday near Mattison Hollow in Berlin. Its cause remained undetermined in Monday’s update, as crews continued efforts to contain it across steep, rocky terrain.
