Lowville Fire Department douses controlled burn that spread to a lumber pile

LOWVILLE- A controlled burn that spread to a lumber pile was doused by local firefighters Friday afternoon in Lewis County, emergency officials say.

It happened around 1:30 p.m. on the Rice Road. Lowville Fire Department was the primary responder.

According to Chief Joe Austin, a controlled burn pile managed to become out of control by spreading to a nearby lumber pile, which was about a half-acre in size and stood about 10-feet tall.

Martinsburg and New Bremen Fire Departments provided mutual aid and a farmer up the road brought his excavator to help break the lumber apart, providing better access for firefighters to douse the flames.

It took over 3-hours to get things settled down.

Chief Austin clarifies that the initial burn was an authorized agriculture one, but wind managed to sweep some embers and spark the nearby lumber pile on fire.

In other words, it was completely accidental in nature, Lowville Fire Department said. No injuries were reported.

Lowville Fire Auxiliary and Lewis County Search & Rescue assisted.

Lowville Fire Department image.