Date: Fri 10-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

brush-fire-Alberts-Hill

Full Text:

Fighting Fire

(with photo)

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

With the fair spring weather has come the renewed danger of brush fires in the

area. Newtown firefighters Tuesday responded to a brush fire covering about

four acres in a wooded and grassy area off Alberts Hill Road, near Lake

Lillinonah.

The blaze charred three tall wooden masts that carry Northeast Utilities'

high-tension electrical lines. The lines transmit power from the hydroelectric

station at Shepaug Dam, just downriver of Lake Lillinonah, said Sandy Hook

Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead.

There were no injuries.

Chief Halstead theorizes youths set the fire. The chief also is a deputy fire

marshal.

Luckily, there was little wind Tuesday, meaning the fire did not spread as

fast as it might have had there been a steady breeze.

Firefighters used their brush truck to gain access to the isolated area, which

is secured by a locked gate. The brush truck also serves as a light fire

pumper.

The fire was set on two sides of a dirt road which overlooks the lake. The

road provides vehicular access to Shepaug Dam.

The fire burned vegetation above ground and did not penetrate the surface due

to the soil's moisture, Chief Halstead explained.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, Newtown Hook and Ladder

Volunteer Fire Company, and the United Fire Company of Botsford were called to

the scene. Firefighters used five trucks and were at the fire scene for about

three hours.