Brush fire blackens 60-plus acres in Middleburgh

4/21/2015

By David Avitabile

Police arrested a Middleburgh man Sunday in connection with a brush fire that blackened more than 60 acres of woods off of Huntersland Road in Middleburgh.
Gregory Marshall, 56, of Mill Valley Road was burning garbage Sunday afternoon in a burn barrel when a spark ignited the stubborn brush fire, according to DEC Regional spokesman Rick Georgeson.
Between 60 and 75 firefighters from 11 departments fought the fire, which was called in at 1:33pm. It was not contained until about 6pm, according to Schoharie County Fire Coordinator Matt Brisley.
The fire, one of the largest brush fires in recent memory, started when a spark from a burn barrel blew onto some leaves about a mile and a half up Huntersland Road, Mr. Brisley added.
The fire spread quickly and blackened between 60 and 80 acres of woods, Mr. Brisley added. No structures were damaged.
Mr. Marshall was arrested on charges of illegal disposal of solid waste, a violation, for allegedly burning garbage; unlawful burning of an open fire because of the ban, a misdemeanor; allowing a fire to burn unattended, a misdemeanor; and setting a fire that endangered the property of another, a violation, according to Mr. Georgeson.
Mr. Marshall is to return to court on May 13, Mr. Georgeson added.
EMS personnel had to treat several firefighters for overheating and overexertion, Mr. Brisley said.
It was difficult to fight the fire, he added.
"It traveled up the side of a hill."
Fire crews had to travel in by way of four-wheelers or walk in. A command post was set up at Chris Becker's driveway on Huntersland Road and firefighters were able to travel in from Wes Laraway's property. Crews filled up tankers one by one at a pond on Huntersland Road and at Mr. Laraway's.
Rangers were able to get to the scene via a path from Decker Road to do their investigation.
By 6pm, the fire was contained and firefighters had a "pretty good handle on it," Mr. Brisley said, though there were still some spot fires in the perimeter.
Contractors with bulldozers had to be called to build a fire line, according to Mr. Brisley.
The fire could have spread further, he added.
"We were monitoring the weather the whole time." The winds were coming from the east, but if they had shifted, the fire could have spread toward Decker Road.
Though there was some rain Sunday night into Monday, more rain is needed, Mr. Brisley said.
"It was incredibly dry."
Mr. Marshall's troubles continued Monday, when there was an emergency call to his home at 9:53am.
He was treated at the scene and by MEVAC personnel and transported to Ellis Hospital, according to Sheriff Tony Desmond. He was conscious and oriented when he left. His condition at the hospital was not available.