KEESEVILLE — Numerous fire departments and local agencies responded to a fire on Balsam Drive in Keeseville late Thursday afternoon.
According to Keeseville Fire Chief Kody Thomson, the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation but it is believed to be started by downed power lines.
“There were significant challenges for this operation in being the unique terrain, large area coverage, and the extreme heat and heat index today,” Thomson said. “The fire spread to right under 6 acres of land before being 100% contained.”
UTV’s were utilized by multiple departments to gain access to certain areas of the operation to extinguish and contain the fire.
The fire was reported to Clinton County dispatch at 4:22 p.m. with the original page being a wild land fire at 23 Balsam Drive.
“(The) first arriving truck and officer from Keeseville noted a significant amount of smoke coming from the woods behind the residence and additional resources were called,” Thomson said.
NYSEG staff were also on scene to coordinate repairs and ensure downed line(s) were safe for firefighters to complete their work.
“Temperatures were hot, as you know. My truck said it was 93 degrees out when we were responding down to Keeseville off route 9n between Keeseville and Clintonville,” Eric Day, Clinton County Emergency Services Director said.
Keeseville, Peru, Ausable, Willsboro, South Plattsburgh, Cadyville, Saranac, Lewis and Upper Jay fire departments all provided mutual aid, with District No. 3 Fire department at Keeseville for standby.
According to Thomson, a total of 10 departments aided in efforts, and roughly 65 firefighters were utilized in operations.
Other agencies on scene were Clinton and Essex County OES, NYSDEC and NYSEG.
Rehab and refreshments were provided on scene for firefighters by South Plattsburgh Fire, EMT of CVPH, and the Keeseville Fire Department Auxiliary.
The total also included three NYS Forest Rangers.
All crews were released and back in service in the late evening with no injuries to firefighters or civilians being reported.
“(I’m) not exactly sure what time it kicked off but crews were getting back to their stations to clean equipment and make ready for next responses by about 10 p.m.,” Day said. “No injuries. Just a lot of sweat and hard work.”