Fire at Black Rock Forest maintenance shop still under investigation

By Mary Jane Pitt

Last Thursday evening (August 14), Black Rock Forest Executive Director Isabel Ashton, who lives on the preserve’s property, was walking her dog when she noticed something unusual – smoke and flames – and immediately called 911.

It turned out that a fire had broken out in the maintenance shop at Black Rock Forest’s old headquarters on Continental Road.

Rescue workers – “a lot of them” – arrived on the scene very quickly, Ashton said this week. Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire.

On Monday, she met with investigators from Black Rock’s insurance company and the Orange County Fire Marshal. She said they told her they might have more information about the cause of the fire later this week. As of that day, Black Rock Forest employees, including Ashton, had not been allowed into the building to see the damage and losses for themselves.

The workshop “supports the maintenance of the forest’s facilities, trails and infrastructure” and is an essential part of the operation. It has equipment such as lawn mowers, a snowmobile, wood and chainsaws, Ashton said. Part of the building was damaged during the July storm last year, but is currently being repaired.

She added that the fire did not affect activities in Black Rock Forest this week.

Black Rock Forest officials said this week they were grateful for the quick response of local firefighters and rescue workers, whose efforts prevented the fire from spreading beyond the maintenance shop.

“We thank the Cornwall, Cornwall-on-Hudson, Vails Gate, West Point and New Windsor fire departments, Cornwall and Cornwall-on-Hudson police, Cornwall/New Windsor EMS, Orange County Emergency Services Battalion 4 Deputy Fire Coordinator and Fire Investigation Unit, Orange County Emergency Communications Division and Central Hudson Gas & Electric,” said Forest Director Matthew Brady. “We are deeply grateful to the emergency responders who responded to our call. Their efforts help us protect the environment and our drinking water, and ensure the forest remains a vital resource for our community – a place for education, conservation, recreation and connection with nature.”

For more information, visit blackrockforest.org.