NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The East Mountain wildland fire, which is the largest in the state so far this year, is at 60 percent containment.
The fire started Friday night off Henderson Road in Williamstown and moved into Clarksburg State Forest. More than 120 firefighters from 19 different communities have been on scene through the weekend working to control the fire that has burned about 800 acres.
"We are really hoping to knock this thing down to a point where we can spend some time walking the perimeter and making sure everything is ok," Williamstown Fire Chief Craig Pedercini, the incident commander, said early Monday afternoon.
Pedercini was joined by State Fire Warden David Celino and North Adams Mayor Thomas Bernard at the North Adams Water Department to give an update on the smoky blaze that's burned for four days.
"It is a difficult labor-intensive effort to contain this fire and it is the 70s, right now, so it's warm," Pedercini said.
Pedercini said one firefighter was hospitalized over the weekend but is doing well and that no structures are currently in danger.
"The atmospheric conditions so far have been helpful and there are no major threats to any of the nearby populations," he said.
The National Guard and State Police are conducting air operations including water drops to help contain the mountainside fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Massachusetts Avenue between Protection and Ashton Avenue is still closed to through traffic and hikers are asked to avoid the Appalachian Trail for the time being.
State Fire Warden David Celino said dry leaves and other materials are acting as surface fuels that strengthen the fire. He said firefighters are clearing this material around the fire so that it falls back on itself and extinguishes.
"We remove the surface fuel, that is what is fueling the fire," he said. "We move an 18- to 24-inch path. Once we do that the fire moves back into itself."
He said this year there have been 591 fires throughout the state but this is the largest one this year and probably the largest one in 12 years. Although a surprising number, he said this was not uncommon.
"It wasn't long ago if you go back a couple of generations, where it was common to see a 2,000-acre fire here in the state," he said.
Pedercini said he expects the 60 percent containment number to change as the day goes on, however, did not want to venture a guess what this shift would be or when it would be.
"We have to look and see what we have and we will come up with a number," he said. "I do expect it to change … we are going to change for the good."
Pedercini said the fire will likely continue to smolder for several days after it is extinguished.
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Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.
More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.
Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."
Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.
Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
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