The hills of southern Indiana might have remained a state secret if not for the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS), a network of bike-friendly routes with transnational aspirations.
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The wildland fire that burned around a thousand acres of land in Northern Berkshire County last week is almost fully contained. The East Mountain Fire was the largest of its kind in Massachusetts in more than two decades. Scores of firefighters from around the region as well as state units battled the fire as it moved east from Williamstown to Clarksburg. Chief Forest Fire Warden for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Dave Celino says it hasn’t grown since last weekend. WAMC spoke with Celino about the historic nature of the East Mountain Fire, and what it says about the potential for future wildland fires in Berkshire County.
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A stock image of flames Photo: Patrick Hendry
Wildfire smoke has become a familiar site to hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail, thanks to a warming climate and lengthening fire seasons, but on the Appalachian Trail, it’s rare to unknown. That changed last week, with the discovery of Massachusetts’ largest fire in more than two decades.
The East Mountain Fire erupted in western Massachusetts in Williamstown, just north of Mount Greylock, on Friday night, quickly growing to the size of 180-acres in less than 24 hours. Just a few days later, the fire is nearly 1,000 acres in size, has devoured part of the Clarksburg State Forest, and is still sending up smoke visible from the nearby AT. The fire didn’t threaten any lives or buildings thanks to its remote location, though one firefighter has been hospitalized with minor injuries.
Massachusetts brush fire spreads to nearly 1,000 acres
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May 18, 2021
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (AP) A western Massachusetts brush fire has spread across nearly 1,000 acres (405 hectares) and is now the state s largest wildland fire in more than two decades, state officials said.
The East Mountain fire in the Clarksburg State Forest that started Friday was more than 75% contained, according to the latest information, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services said Tuesday.
Crews have started dousing hotspots and patrolling the perimeter to control further spread, Jennifer Mieth said. That could take several more days.
More than 120 firefighters from 19 departments in Massachusetts and Vermont have helped battle the fire while the National Guard and Massachusetts State Police dropped water on it from helicopters.