Blooming Grove Fire Anniversary - April 13, 14, 15. Burn Ban & Fire Caution in Effect with 80's Plus Temps.

April 15, 2026 - While April 2023 was an extraordinary fire emergency for residents around Round Hill Mountain and the valley beneath, it is also a reminder of the great respect we have, and must have for our brave first responders, our outstanding local Fire Departments some of which spent both days and nights fighting the scattering blazes for three days, others who came from Orange County Fire & Emergency Services, and also from New York State Rangers, as well as the tremendous burden of oversight handled during that time by Supervisor Jeroloman and other town and county officials Mt. Lodge Ladies Auxiliary was also at the scene providing food and other necessities for the hundreds of workers arriving and departing daily.

Heavy smoke came down the hillsides and entered farmland, home yards,

and the Satterly Creek marshland, by Day 2 spreading clouds of the smoke all the way to Campbell Hall. This image is taken from my front field at 153 Round Hill Road (west branch).

Smoldering residue re-ignited numerous times, requiring fire guards to oversee and report new outbreaks that continued for 3 full days. In this image you can see several smull smoke clouds in the forest halfway between my house (three and a half miles away) and the Mountain.

Now, It may seem like we had two drenching downpours this week that one would expect to have lessened fire danger this season. But we have also had unusual days of heat his month, and winds that evaporated significant amounts of the new rainwater. Village of Washingtonville Mayor Tom DeVinko reported last Monday that the wells that provide water for residents are holding at a good level. But if you drive by the Moodna Creek just before the Village entrance on Route 94 today you can see that it has receeded quite a bit from its shores just in the past 9 days. So, with the Burn Ban still in effect, and for good reason .... do not burn brush or start campfires. If you want to have an ouotdoor dinner or party, invest in a clean and safe outdoor grill.

Actually very small campfires are permitted in New York State according to the

following description, BUT obviously their safety depends on wind conditions,

how much leaf and debris there is in the area, and how broad of a clearing has been prepared. There is no substistute for good judgement - it is probably best not to take the chance with current conditions ... I left my front door open for less than a minute yesterday to water a flowering plant, and when I came back in there were already several leaves in my kitchen. But anyway, here is the relevant part of the law:

New York Burn Ban in Effect

March 16 Through May 14

The photos above show how numerous clouds of smoke spread around and beneath the Mountain in April of 2023, endangering nearby homes and farms. Helicopters were brought in to drop bucketloads of water where slopes were particularly steep.

Thank you to all of our First Responders and officials for keeping all of us and our homes and farms safe!