Vermont Business Magazine Employees from the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation are working with the Bolton Fire Department to contain a small forest fire on Robbins Mountain. The Department said in a statement today that the fire was first spotted on Thursday, October 7. Over the last week, the Bolton Town Forest Fire Warden and volunteer firefighters from the towns of Bolton, Huntington, Hinesburg and Richmond along with state forestry staff have been working to control this deep burning fire, situated along a steep ridge visible from US Route 2 and Interstate 89.
A portable water tank has been set up at the end of Happy Hollow Road in Huntington and water is being pumped uphill over one‐quarter mile to the scene of the fire.
“This is a typical ground fire, extremely slow moving, but hard to extinguish” says Lars Lund, Forest Fire Supervisor with the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. “We’ve been busy putting down water and trying to break up the dense duff and root layer to get to the fire smoldering under the surface. It’s a lot of tough digging, made even more difficult due to the steep terrain and standing trees with burned out roots”. The fire, approximately 2 acres in size, is believed to have ignited naturally, most likely by lightning. “At this point the fire does not appear to pose a significant threat to lives, structures or valuable sawtimber.” says Lund. The fire has been contained but is not fully extinguished.
“To completely extinguish the fire will require continued investment in staff time and exposure of staff and volunteers to hazards associated with fire control. We still may not be successful in extinguishing the fire. These investments and risks are not worth it when the fire does not appear to pose a significant threat.” said Steve Sinclair, the Director of Forests. The Bolton Fire Chief and Town Forest Fire Warden Michael Gervia and Lund agree that over the weekend the objective should be to monitor the fire and to ensure the fire poses minimal risk. Smoke will continue to be visible from surrounding areas during the weekend. A meeting is planned with Bolton Fire Chief/Fire Warden Gervia and FPR fire staff on Monday to assess the situation.
Source: Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation 10.14.2016