By Lauren Young

Staff Writer

A 10-acre wildfire has destroyed one private property’s land in Hamilton last Friday after the landowner attempted residential burning onsite that got out of control. Two rangers, 120 local fire personnel and two bulldozers were needed to contain the fire.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on July 13, Madison County forest rangers responded to a wildland fire off Johnnycake Hill Road in Hamilton.

According to a press release by the DEC, A 70-year-old landowner had attempted to conduct some residential burning on his property following a logging clear-cut operation this past winter, but wind conditions caused the flames to escape, resulting in a 10-acre fire. It took two rangers, 120 local fire personnel and two bulldozers two hours to contain the fire. The high temperatures made efforts to contain the fire especially difficult.

Responding volunteer fire departments from Madison County included Madison, Poolville, North Bookfield, Georgetown, Erieville, Hubbardsville, Munnsville, Morrisville and Hamilton. The Madison County Sheriff’s Department and highway department staff also assisted in suppression efforts.