Butternut Fire Command Terminated After 2 Weeks
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — After about two weeks of working to contain the Butternut Fire, the incident command has ended.
"I am extremely proud of the leadership and firefighters that put forth such extraordinary work to bring this incident to a close," Town Manager Mark Pruhenski said in a press release issued on Sunday.
"It has been a long time since Great Barrington has seen such an incident, the collaboration between all of the agencies was impressive."
On Sunday around 2 p.m., Fire Chief Scott Turner made the decision because "based on weather changes, fuel conditions, and the monumental work of our firefighters and mutual aid, the fire is clearly under control and not expected to spread any further."
He added that Great Barrington's homes and businesses are safe. The wooded area is expected to remain dangerous for months but should regenerate in the spring.
The fire spread because of the extremely dry conditions over the past few months; some rain the week before followed by snow and sleet over the holiday had helped with containment efforts.
Personnel and apparatuses that had been in place 24/7 since Nov. 18 were released but the department will remain ready to respond to any extension or minor growth.
The fire consumed 1,670 acres, spanning over 3 miles in length with a perimeter of more than 10 miles. Fire Lt. Brian Mead said the wildfire's potential for devastation far exceeded what firefighters were able to contain and not a single home or structure was damaged nor firefighter injured.
"At the end of an incident of this magnitude that has such risk, that is without a doubt, a victory," he said.
The blaze was first reported early Monday, Nov. 18, as a "large brush fire" off Brush Hill Road. The following day, it spread over 100 acres, and on Wednesday, it covered more than 1,100 acres, expanding into Sheffield.
Last week, the State Police Air Wing surveyed the area with infrared imaging to identify hot spots and the department collected data to get more accurate measurements and GPS locations of the burned area, expecting that the acreage involved would grow.
More than 400 firefighters, rangers, National Guard, support personnel, and officials were a part of the effort and there was strong mutual aid from surrounding fire departments.
"The Great Barrington Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our members, the mutual aid companies that worked the fire lines, covered our town, and other towns while their resources were committed to this fire. We also want to thank all of the agencies that sent personnel and resources. Your work containing this fire was unprecedented — we urge you all to look back and reflect on what you accomplished — and be proud," the department wrote on Facebook on Sunday.
"At the same time, none of this would have been as successful without the support of all of those that stepped up to ensure that the boots on the ground had all that they needed. This ranged from the management of the teams and communications to ensuring that the firefighters were nourished and hydrated. The coordination of and disbursement of those resources was an equally monumental task with equally long hours."
The department said, "Ultimately, the local contingent was joined by further reaching fire departments along with state and federal resources and personnel." The community also showed up for the first responders, donating so much water and non-perishable food items that the department had to politely decline any further contributions.
"This area remains dangerous. The fire dramatically changed conditions on the ground in and around its footprint. Trees and root systems were burned out. This increases the risk of trees and limbs falling, ground and boulders shifting, and void spaces opening up," Mead cautioned.
"This is not something that is unusual but for this region, it is something that is rarely seen. Based on data we have received from multiple resources, we expect these hazards will make the area unsafe for residents for some time — possibly as long as a few months. New growth will come up in the spring, this area will once again flourish and be as healthy as it ever was."
The wildfire's cause remains under investigation by the Great Barrington Police Department and the State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal's office. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 413-528-0306, Ext. 3.
Tags: wildfire,
