WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Firefighters from three states are battling a wildfire on the Massachusetts border. 

 

The blaze was first reported Sunday in New York State's 678-acre Berlin State Forest along the state border. 

 

About 70 firefighters from New York State, Massachusetts and Vermont have been working to contain the blaze, which has consumed more than 150 acres so far and moved into Williamstown. 

 

Gov. Maura Healey has activated the National Guard to assist state and local firefighters. 

 

The National Guard will join New York State Police helicopters in using aircraft to drop water on the flames in remote, rocky areas that are hard for firefighters to reach. 

 

Two Berlin, N.Y., residents told WTEN News that they woke to smoke on Sunday. They first reported it and then hiked into the woods to find the fire because of how long it was going to take for fire services to arrive. 

 

"This is an extremely dangerous and treacherous area," said Jay Wilson, director of public safety for Rensselaer County, N.Y., at a broadcast press conference on Monday. "It's taking us approximately about 15, 20 minutes to get to what we call the trailhead in this area, and then from the trailhead, it's another another mile and a half, almost two miles into the woods and then they've got to trek another mile on foot."

 

At least 15 fire companies are working to contain the blaze near the Taconic Crest Trail, including from Rensselaer County, Bennington (Vt.) County, and Berkshire County and New York forest rangers.

 

Williamstown Fire Chief Jeffrey Dias on Sunday posted on Facebook that there was an "active brush fire" burning in New York and that anyone near Route 43 may see smoke and possibly a glow.

 

The Cheshire Fire Department also posted to alert residents in that town where the smoke was coming from.

 

"Smoke from that fire is currently over many parts of Cheshire, especially on the north side," stated the Facebook post. "As of now, there is no danger to Cheshire, but we wanted to let everyone know because the smell and the presence of smoke is very obvious throughout town.

 

"Please though, if you suspect a fire in town somewhere, don’t hesitate to call us to make sure. Some of our mutual aid partners in North County are on scene and helping to extinguish and contain this large fire."

 

In addition to the National Guard, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Department of Fire Services and Department of Conservation and Recreation have been monitoring the spread of the fire and offering assistance. The blaze is currently covering 157 acres.

 

"Our top priority is keeping people safe and giving our firefighters every resource possible to contain this wildfire," said Healey. "As this fire spreads toward homes, businesses and communities in Western Massachusetts, we're activating the National Guard to provide critical support from the air and to reach areas that firefighters can’t safely access on the ground. 

 

"I'm grateful to the firefighters, first responders and National Guard members who are working around the clock to protect our communities. We will continue to do everything we can to keep residents safe."

 

DFS is deploying personnel and specialized apparatus to assist local and regional firefighters. A Rehab unit will support firefighter health and safety at the scene, an Incident Support Unit provides communications, conferencing, and mapping capabilities, and a drone team will stream HD and thermal imagery from the air to aid incident commanders with resource allocation. 

 

Residents in affected communities are encouraged to avoid the area, give public safety personnel room to work, and follow guidance from local public safety officials and stay informed about changing conditions.