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Firefighters Battle Cornfield Blaze At Dutchess Farm

NORTH EAST, N.Y. -- Firefighters from Dutchess, Columbia and Litchfield counties were on scene to fight a blaze that consumed about 75 acres of corn fields at Willowbrook Farm in North East, according to Millerton Fire Chief Keith Roger.

Smoke from a fire at Willowbrook Farm in North East.

Smoke from a fire at Willowbrook Farm in North East.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Rebillard
Smoke from a fire at Willowbrook Farm in North East.

Smoke from a fire at Willowbrook Farm in North East.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Rebillard

The corn had already been chopped down from the field, Roger explained, which is roughly 300 acres in total. Roger attributed the fire to farming equipment coming into contact with a dry field, which he likened to a dust bowl.

Firefighters were dispatched at around 3 p.m. and put out the blaze in roughly an hour, Roger said, adding that additional time was spent to go after hot spots in order to prevent the fire was starting again.

Millerton firefighters received mutual aid from fire departments based in three counties, Roger added. From Dutchess County, Amenia and Wassaic came on site while Pine Plains was on standby. Coming from Columbia County were Ancram and Copake, and coming from Litchfield County, Conn. were Sharon and Lakeville. 

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