Join BEAT To Free a Tree From Invasive Hardy Kiwi

08:00AM / Tuesday, August 04, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join BEAT on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Burbank Park in Pittsfield to remove invasive hardy kiwi.

Hardy kiwi is an ornamental plant known for its fast and dense growing patterns that has become a significant issue in Berkshire County. The dense curtains can smother native plants, creating a monoculture that threatens biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, according to a press release.

To help free the area of this harmful invasive, the BEAT team and volunteers will meet at the Onota Boat Launch on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 9:00 AM - Noon. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Participants will pull and cut kiwi vines, specifically removing any fruit to keep wildlife from eating it and spreading the plant further.

Participants should come prepared to walk approximately 10 minutes into the forest and spend an hour or two pulling hardy kiwi. Wearing long pants, long socks, and closed-toed shoes is important. Additionally, participants are encouraged to bring a full water bottle and any equipment, such as gloves, shears, or loppers they possess. BEAT has equipment participants can borrow. Before the pulling begins, BEAT will direct volunteers to sections of hardy kiwi and provide any necessary instructions. This event is open to everyone, regardless of previous experience.

Tags: BEAT,

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15 People Displaced in Pittsfield Home Fires

Staff Reports11:35AM / Sunday, October 11, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen people were displaced after 2-alarm home fires this weekend on Springside Avenue and Elaine Drive.

On Friday evening, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 209 Springside Ave., which took a four-hour battle to extinguish and resulted in a partial roof collapse. The next day, on Saturday evening, crews knocked down a fire at 121 Elaine Drive in about an hour.

The garage and part of the single-family home on Elaine Drive were gutted to the frame, along with a vehicle parked in the driveway. On Springside Avenue, the top level and porch of the multifamily were burned through.

A GoFundMe has been started for the family of the Elaine Drive home, which includes several young children. The fundraiser, with a $5,500 goal, explains they lost their home and all of their belongings. (iBerkshires.com does not confirm or endorse fundraisers; they are provided as information only.)

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, and both incidents are under investigation. One dog was rescued on Springside Avenue.

On Oct. 10, around 6:15 p.m., PFD responded to the Springside Avenue home for a reported structure fire and saw a 2 1/2-story wood frame multifamily with a heavy blaze showing from the second-floor front porch, extending out.

The building suffered a partial roof collapse, which prolonged extinguishment. The fire was brought under control after about four hours.

“An aggressive offensive attack was mounted by first arriving crews stretching hose lines into the building as well as primary searches that proved negative. Ladders were placed around the structure to provide access as well as escape if needed. An off-duty Fire Captain had also been on scene early in the incident to help evacuate the structure and rescue a dog,” PFD wrote in a press release.

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